Upon arrival at the park, I am greeted by the sound of chirping Chiffchaffs, Squirrels scuttling up the tree trunks, and Blackbirds scurrying across the paths into the woodland. To the delight of the buzzing Bumblebees and Honeybees, both Bramble and Honeysuckle have now flowered and provide a bounty of delicious nectar.
Elderflower has blossomed into saucer-sized clusters, whilst smaller sprays adorn the Wayfaring. Pink Herb Robert flowers can be found speckled through the groundcover alongside foaming Cuckoo Spit, which don’t seem too picky but found especially on Wood Dock.
The outer spathes on Lords and Ladies has died back, and the flowering spadix has grown into a fruiting spike: It swells with green berries, soon to ripen to a bright orange.
I head down to Zigzag listening to Great Tits churr from the hedges, whilst Herring Gulls and Carrion Crows caw above. Lining the steps, a rich magenta; Gladiolus byzantius; probably a garden escape from the neighbouring houses.
The persistent Easterly wind blows into Durlston Bay, with the sound of the waves getting louder as I descend over the clay slumps and towards the rocky shore.
Seaweed Flies cover the rounded limestone pebbles, though just one large dump of seaweed has accumulated towards the Southern end of the beach; various Wracks, Dulse, Kelp, Sea Lettuce, and more.
Marram Grass fringes onto the shore alongside some struggling White Poplar and Sycamore, their branch tips barren of leaves.
On my return, a Speckled Wood butterfly floats across the shimmering meadows. Common Spotted Orchids have emerged through swaths of Buttercup, Pale Flax, and Hay Rattle. Yet more Chiffchaffs calling, Goldfinch pass overhead, and a Blackcap sings from the Large Copse.