Durlston, Dorset

With wind bowing blowing sheets of rain on my face and the sound of waves crashing against the cliff face I stood at Durlston Head looking out to sea trying to spot dolphins. Unfortunately there were no Dolphins to be seen.

As the clouds raced across the sky, a rainbow came and went, and the sun began to show itself.

The view is amazing from the coastal path at Durlston Country park. From one side the view stretches over to Old Harry Rocks and from the other, Anvil Point with its lighthouse.

Durlston Country Park has a wide variety of wildlife from 250 species of recored birds, 500 different types of wildflower, 500 recored species of moths and thousands of invertebrates such as crickets and the Bloody-Nose Beetle. Many of which are named on the cafe wall.

Durlston Country park information

 

While I was there I encountered a number of different species of birds but the most exciting surprise was when I came across this beautiful Peregrine Falcon perched on the edge of the cliff face.

Peregrine falcons traditionally nest on steep cliff faces like the ones at Durlston where they hunt for birds, although they are now also seen in urban areas using buildings instead of sea cliffs.

The name Peregrine means “wanderer” or “pilgrim”.