This morning’s route took in the “Winter into Spring Trail” where all seven clue boards were still in place. By the pedestrian crossing I notice a small nest in the crown of a Hawthorn. I assumed this construction, in a leafless tree, to be last years although the fluff (perhaps dog hair) looked fresh. Blue Tits appeared beside the Long Meadow cut through path. Only the thickest parts of the caravan terrace rock face ice sculptures had not thawed.
Down in Durlston bay the sea looked brown with plenty of white foam and froth along the rocky shore. A Shag flew out to sea near Durlston Head as I turned the corner into the wind. Before the Globe I found a lunchbox containing cards and pencils and note referring to Amelia and her Mum. Later I placed it in the Dolphin Watch Hut hoping someone might read this and collect it. Also, near the Globe were five blue Greater Periwinkle flowers. Offshore there was plenty of Guillemot flight, with the bird’s wingspans equal to their body lengths. Upon the sea a raft of a score Guillemots were joined by a dozen Razorbills. In a broad triangular spacing three Shag flew east. The two Gannets I spotted further out were less obvious today. Above Tilly Whim a Feral Dove perched on the cliff top, to be joined by another, and another until five became a dozen. After a brief huddle they set off together. A peek down to the gully mouth revealed temporary saline waterfalls and an occasional blow hole spout. It looked as if an army of giant spiders were appearing out of the surface of the Goat Plot, but it was only clumps of ground hugging a long tendrilled Gorse stems. A pair of Ravens arrived silently then one perched on the upper Mile Marker whilst the other explored. Near the Brady Bench I heard then saw two Holm Oak limbs that squeaked as the wind caused them to rub against each other. Harts Tongue Fern fronds had striped indentations caused by the weight of spore strip on the underside. Upon one Bay tree there were buds whilst there had been further bud development on the Cherry Plum. Nearby Cherry trees were tall and slender having to pierce through other vegetation to catch some light. Reliably Viburnums showed white flowers any many unopened buds. Elsewhere Elder buds had opened to show small plum / brown (to me) leaves. Two Goldfinches nattered near recently laid Hawthorn. Two Roe Deer emerged from Katie’s garden and disappeared into Reservoir Copse. Note to self: top up bird feeders!