I couldn’t believe my luck this morning, when I stumbled upon a Badger, Woodmouse, and Blackbird all sat together in the woods. Upon closer inspection I realise they are made of chicken wire with buttons for eyes, and remembered today is the start of our summer trail – the Woodland Clan Activity Trail. (learn more here: www.durlston.co.uk/woodlandclan.aspx)
The woodland is dark. A single Moth dancing its way up in circles towards the canopy, where a Raven croaks from somewhere above. Raindrops fall down from the leaves, through the damp Holm Oak trunks, and onto a scattering of under-ripe Sycamore seeds still joined in pairs. A Blackbird scrapes and picks through the leaf litter, searching for his breakfast.
I walk along the coast path, to find trees drooping with fruit – Plums to my left, and Apples to my right.. A Robin jumps along the coping stones of a nearby wall with Enchanters Nightshade poking out from between the stones. Further along the path, the bright orange flowers of Montbretia have bloomed, and add as a splash of colour to a fairly drab morning.
The rain picks up as I turn westward. Not heavy rain, but the persistent misty type that soaks you through without realising. I have second thoughts about my route, but the call of the Jackdaws on cliffs draw me down. Unfortunately I find one of the reinforced glass panels at the Observation Point has smashed into pieces.
It’s a bit bracing along the cliff-top for a summers day, perhaps I should have trousers or a coat! The Herring Gull’s seem undeterred, with a couple juvenile birds taking flight from their ledge and gentle lowering themselves onto the water – much more dainty than the watching all of the Guillemots crash-landings over the past few months.
I turned back towards the Diagonal path to find myself instantly sheltered from the wind and rain. A moment of calm as I realise I’d been walking at quite the pace, and need to catch my breath! I head back to the office, watching a Peregrine Falcon battle the element as well. A few quick flaps of the wings are needed to steady himself, before swooping down below the line of Gorse and out of sight.