With the continuous weather fronts it seems hard to tell where one day ends and another begins! As the Park was again shrouded in an ominous fog and fine rain. However, this was quickly contrasted by the varied bird song surrounding the Learning Centre, with Song Thrush, Chaffinches, Dunnock and the uplifting song of a Robin all making their presence known.
Heading towards the shelter of the woodland seemed like the best idea, with the car park verges scattered with Daisies. Some looking a little worse for wear after last week’s frosts, but all appearing to lie in wait for the ‘Spring’ trigger button.
Walking across Long Meadow the solitary appearance of 4 Carrion Crows calling out into the abyss of Swanage added further to the ominous dreariness that hung throughout the patrol, but this was quickly overturned by the shades of red and orange created by the Stinking Iris berries. Further along the path the calls of Great Tits, Blue Tits and Jackdaws rang out across the meadow, then the distinctive ‘yaffle’ of a Green Woodpecker. The Blackthorn hedge was draped in Lichen species which I couldn’t quite identify however a positive sighting nonetheless, especially as they are an indicator species for good air quality.
The path edge also provided plants galore, with the emergence of Cleavers, a Crane’s-bill species, Ground Ivy and Lords and Ladies foliage indicating that spring is well and truly around the corner. The scrub erupted with the ticking alarm calls of Robins, and the clapping wings of an overhead Woodpigeon. A pair of Blackbirds hopped attentively in search of invertebrates.
As I headed down towards the woodland the wind caused the branches and canopy to sway in an almost synchronised chorus, excluding that of prominent lone Yew (Taxus baccata) tree. Yew can be characterised by their glossy, dark green needles whilst also being the only coniferous tree to encase their seeds in a red berry, and are a species shrouded in British myth and history! Outside woodland habitats, Yew were historically planted in churchyards as they were perceived to remove bad spirits.
As I continued towards the Avaries, the understorey showed more promising signs of spring vast approaching with Primrose, Crocus and Snowdrop flowers, alongside a carpet of Lesser Celandine leaves and Hazel shrubs beginning to show new leaf buds. The brief call of a Great-spotted Woodpecker echoed across the canopy, followed by a Nuthatch and the distinguishable trill of a Wren.
Heading back towards the Learning Centre I was to be greeted by the sudden appearance of a Grey Squirrel, scurrying quickly to the nearest tree. Amongst a hedgerow I spotted Yellow Brain fungus, whilst at the Hide 3 female Pheasants were feeding in a small group.