26th May from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth

The temperature is moderated by a fresh breeze that rumples the sea into spiky little waves. But the sky is blue and if you can find a reasonably sheltered spot there is scope for sun bathing. The scent of hay still hangs in the air and the shade of the trees is cool and comforting. A crow surveys the scene from the top of a lamp post and poppies are red in the quarry along with the masses of pale lupins which have escaped from the gardens of the big houses and now colonise rough patches. A beech mast has been whirled onto the path and we can already see the autumn bounty.

From 26th May 2022

Flat grey sky and sudden warmth as the sun appears from time to time. A stiff breeze and a nervous surf that goes shush shush shush like a maiden aunt with a secret she would rather wasn't revealed. The summer terns beat up and down the surf line circling for a moment and plunging straight down after the shoals of little fishes. A gold finch warbles from the branches of a pine and, wow, a big surprise, a Dartford Warbler treating us to a few notes as it dives into the gorse branches. Although we are only a few miles from this rare little bird's stronghold on Poole Harbour, I've never seen one here before. A little bigger than a Great Tit and a reddish brown breast, the way it flicks its tail is unmistakeable. We are fortunate. I hope it is staying here. I'll keep you posted. #Bournemouth #Westcliffgreen #May #Summer #DartfordWarbler

From 26th May 2019

A chilly, grey late spring evening. It is trying hard to rain like a child in rage- frustration attempting to squeeze out a few tears to prove to recalcitrant parents that his heart will break if he doesn't get that packet of Haribo.