Durlston Country Park (Dorset)

Through the ever-changing seasons and colours, Durlston is a fascinating place.

On a calm summer’s day it is difficult to imagine the harsh winter conditions of crashing seas and strong winds.

The bare statistics merely hint at the amazing diversity of wildlife: 33 species of breeding butterfly, over 250 species of bird recorded, 500 wildflowers, 500 moths and thousands of other invertebrates.

The reason for Durlston's natural riches lies in a combination of geography, geology, history and careful management which has created a mosaic of nationally important wildlife habitats: sea-cliffs, downs, ancient meadows, hedgerows, woodland even dry-stone walls each with their characteristic plants and animals.

In winter there are Ducks and Divers from the Arctic, in spring and autumn Terns and Skuas, in summer majestic Gannets and Shearwaters. Sometimes, emerging from the waves you may see Bottlenose Dolphins or a Seal. In the late autumn the sky will be peppered with huge flocks of southern-bound Swallows, Martins and Wagtails.

From March to July the cliffs are alive with Seabirds, a magnificent spectacle which can be witnessed from the coast path and through the cliff camera at the Visitor Centre.

The season captures the Guillemot life cycle: nesting, hatching, feeding and the first ventures of the uncertain fledglings

Durlston is host to over 250 species of bird and is an important resting place for spring and autumn migrants.

Some migrating birds stay a few days, including Redstart, Wheatear, Pied Flycatcher and Sedge Warbler, occasionally, a rarity like Hoopoe or Golden Oriole may join them.

Other migrants like the Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffcaff nest in the scrub in the summer, exploiting the rich insect life to feed their young.

A few migrants such as the Redwing and Fieldfare, arrive in October / November to feed on Durlston's plentiful berries and stay through the winter.

March: Resident seabirds are becoming more active as they prepare for the breeding season. Shags carry nesting material, pairs of Razorbills and Guillemots renew their bonds on the water and Fulmars can be heard cackling from the cliff crevices.

This month is usually good for Bottlenose dolphin sightings.

At sea, Scoter, Divers and Mergansers continue to pass, while the first Sandwich Terns, Swallows and Sand Martins should be returning after spending winter in Africa. Foxes or a Black Redstart may be around Tilly Whim, and on the cliff, the white-flowered Early Scurvy Grass begins to bloom.

The spring migration is getting underway in earnest with the arrival of Wheatears and overhead passage of Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails, plus an occasional glimpse of a quick visiting Ring Ouzel. From the top of the yellow flowering Gorse bush a Yellowhammer or a Stonechat is likely to be seen.

A warm day will bring Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies to sight and reptiles such as Common Lizard, Slow Worm and Adder may emerge to bask in the sunlight.

The woodland chorus from Blackbird, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest can be joined by the thin seep of a Treecreeper.

A striking Bullfinch is often glimpsed amongst the new leaves, whilst in the branches Grey Squirrels take part in chases bouncing from one tree to the next.

April: On the cliffs there is plenty of activity amongst our nesting seabirds: Guillemots form long lines on the water or can be seen whirring in and out of the cliffs in large 'squadrons'. Come into the centre and watch them on the web-cam monitor.

Razorbills are less numerous but are regularly spotted from the coast path, often in courting pairs. Shags dive deep for fish while stiff-winged Fulmars glide effortlessly over the water.

A Peregrine or an occasional Raven may provide a dramatic spectacle for the lucky observer.

Further out at sea, migrant terns, skuas, waders and wildfowl pass by en-route to northern breeding grounds. Also Bottlenose Dolphins (look out for their black dorsal fins).

A basking Adder can often be seen near the Tilly Whim Caves. .

The woodland chorus is augmented by the rich fluty tones of Blackcaps and the wistful cadences of Willow Warblers. Later on, the shivering song of a Wood Warbler may be heard. The loud 'yaffling' calls of Green Woodpeckers can hardly be missed but a keen ear is needed to hear the tremulous sounds of Treecreepers.

Early butterflies like the Orange Tip, Speckled Wood and Holly Blue flit around sunny glades while hoverflies hang motionless in mid-air.

Migrant birds, like Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails, may be seen feeding on the ground while scrub may conceal a Redstart or a singing Nightingale. Overhead the glorious song of the Skylark contrasts with the simple piping of the Meadow Pipit. Both are ground-nesting and particularly at risk from disturbance, so please keep to the waymarked paths. Listen out for the strange 'reeling' song of the Grasshopper Warbler.

Incoming Swallows and Martins may attract a newly-arrived Hobby. Stonechats perch conspicuously on yellow-flowered Gorse bushes, often in the company of Linnets and Yellowhammers.

September: Seawatching can be excellent, especially when strong winds blow skuas, Shearwaters, Phalaropes, Terns and the rarer Gulls closer inshore. Gannets are regular and, towards the end of the month wintering wildfowl can be seen passing up-channel. Also on the move are thousands of Swallows and House Martins. Ravens and Peregrines may also glide overhead.

Along the clifftops, Sea Aster and Golden Samphire are in full flower; providing nectar for migrant butterflies like Painted Ladies and Clouded Yellows. Grey Bush-crickets chirp from the taller vegetation.

Bottle-nosed Dolphins are sometimes in the area.

As the leaves slowly turn to shades of yellow and brown, small woodland birds begin to form flocks which may include Long-tailed and Marsh Tits, Treecreepers, Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs and even a rare Firecrest. High up in the canopy, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers catch insects to fuel the long flight to Africa. Sparrowhawks soar overhead while Sandwich Terns may be seen fishing down in Durlston Bay.

The sweet smell of Ivy blossom usually attracts Red Admiral and Peacock butterflies. In the evening Pipistrelles, Noctules and other species of bat are busy feeding up, prior to their winter hibernation.

Hundreds of small migrant birds such as Wheatears, Redstarts, Whinchats and Whitethroats feed up on the rich crop of insects and seed heads of Wild Parsnip, Woolly Thistles and Teasels. Elderberries are also greedily consumed, particularly by Blackcaps and Garden Warblers. With luck, a rare Wryneck or Red-backed Shrike may be glimpsed, while the sky should be scanned for passing birds of prey. Africa-bound Sand Martins, and Swifts may attract the attention of a passing Hobby.

October: A month of changeable weather, with the dampness producing a fantastic array of fungi in the woodland. Included are the Jews ear, especially seen on old Elder trunks, Wood Blewit with its slight slimy cap and pale purple colouring, plus the deadly (and to be avoided) Death Cap, a greenish tinge giving it away.

In the canopy tops, tiny Goldcrests arrive in numbers along with an occasional Firecrest, also a good selection of warblers with Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Wood Warbler often in evidence.

The white Old Man's Beard entwines its way across the berry clad Hawthorn, Dog Rose and Bryony, where Redwing and Fieldfares spend their day. An occasional Ring Ouzel may join them, as do other Thrushes - Song, Mistle and Blackbirds.

Scabious, Knapweed, Wild Carrot and Fleabane still flowering in the uncut areas of the meadows, where Linnets, Goldfinch and Yellowhammers are often feeding on the seeds of Teasel, Woolly Thistle, Bristly Ox-Tongue and umbellifers.

The open meadows sustain Meadow Pipits, Grey and Pied Wagtails and flocks of Skylarks. Overhead late Swallows and House Martins feed up before flying southwards.

Early morning sea watching in rough weather always produces a steady flow of ducks - Teal, Scoter and Wigeon, plus the exciting Great and Pomarine Skuas. From the east come Brent Geese, while Guillemots may be revisiting the area on occasions.

The autumn is usually a good time for watching the Bottlenose Dolphins, and often a Black Redstart is seen around Tilly Whim caves.