As I enter the woodland this morning, I am drawn through the trees, and towards the Sun rising upon the sea. Where this path connects with the coast path, a sunny glade buzzes with life – White-tailed Bumblebees, Common Carder Bees, and Honeybees, amongst various flies and other insects. They forage for pollen and nectar from a dense thicket of Fleabane, Bristly Ox-tongue, Willowherb, Hemp Agrimony, and Creeping Thistle.
I walk to the next viewpoint. A Pigeon coos from a lone-standing Black Pine, which is framed by the surrounding Holm Oak, against the sea. The steeper drop-off here exposes a cool breeze which rocks the towering Teasel. The sweetly scented Buddleia has attracted a couple Wall and a couple Meadow Brown Butterflies. They all dance together, fluttering in circles, as they float up towards the sky.
Next, I move to the ‘Listening Seat’ viewpoint. A bit more hidden from the main coast path, I follow the shaded wall to find the bench tucked underneath a large Apple Tree. The tree leans dramatically over to one side, weighed down by its sheer size, many seasons of apples, and thick clambering Ivy. If it were not for the support of a neighbouring Holm Oak supporting it, it probably would have fallen to the ground.
Leaves rustle above me, and a couple of Great Tits busily chirp away from within. Below, I can see a slight swell rolling into the rocks at Durlston Head.
At the next viewpoint, the seascape opens to a magnificent view of the Isle of Wight, and a couple of yachts heading south. In the foreground, two great Black Pines rise through the canopy of the undercliff woodland, emerging above all the other trees. The silhouette of a small bird swoops from tree to the other, and a screeching Peregrine can be heard nearby.
High in the sky above, a group of Gulls make their way north. Motionless, with their wings out-stretched, the rising thermals carry the group to patrol effortlessly above the bay.