About the car Parks a quartet of Jackdaws loitered whilst a Robin had fluffed up its breast feathers. In doing so the small bird trapped pockets of air between its feathers to help keep it warm. It was pleasing to see a Shaggy Ink Cap head springing up beside the new Long Meadow path. Near Rest & Admire I admired the determination of an Elm to live it. From a stump, which had been partially stump ground due to its being in a wall, small branches and leaves persisted.
Under the Holm Oak cover of the timeline a Grey Squirrel scampered, perhaps still stashing acorns? Herb Robert flowered close to the Castle’s “cage” bird feeder. Beside the Noon Bench a leafless Sycamore was the launch pad for a Magpie. At Durlston Head the Tamarisk was shaken by blustery wind. Far below the Great Globe one Great Black Backed Gull perched upon a cliff face ledge and faced west. Near Tilly Whim steps a Rock Pipit “bounced” between dry stone wall cappers to coast path surface. I had to take care when using the slippery bedrock steps approaching the gully mouth. Below, at least one Golden Samphire flower persisted whilst a few Thrift flowers were also seen. It was not a blow hole or winterbourne day, however, a slight waterfall trickle over the rocks into the sea.
Amongst the gully scrub a Bullfinch flew between cover. One of the park’s few English Oak Trees sat amongst Blackthorn both stunted by the wind. The oak spread it branches wide over and threw the thorny shrub. It held no acorns but a few old Cherry Galls. Apparently and acorn contains 50% carbohydrate and 3% fat! A Jay can transport an acorn half a mile from the “mother” tree!Leaving the gully slope to get onto the road I passed Ox Eye Daisy and Knapweed flowers still offer nectar for insects upon a drier day. Amongst the shelter of Lighthouse Road cutting the sunshine yellow of Ragwort flowers showed whilst Woodsage leaves colonised the shelter foot of Blackthorn cover. Even Milkwort displayed white and blue flowers beside the road. Upon the wet tarmac an injured Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle just had to be lifted to one side.