I made a new friend this morning. As I was digging a Robin (Erithacus rubecula) started singing, when it wasn’t eating the worms and insects I unearthed.
There is an update on the male Pheasant too; he has a partner. I thought he had been quieter lately. I hope I get to see youngsters soon.
I may be having trouble photographing Orange-tip butterflies (Anthocharis cardamines) but I have managed to capture this Female Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) resting on a box (Buxus) hedge. I have noticed quite a few of these beautiful butterflies, both male and female, flitting around the garden this week.
After a busy seven days it is lovely to finally relax and reflect upon last weeks sightings.
Throughout the week I have seen Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) and Brimstone butterflies (Gonepteryx rhamni) flying around as well as more Harlequin ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis). I have seen even more 7-spot ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata), well into double figures. Ladybirds make me smile, a reaction than never diminishes. Something else that made me happy last week was seeing lots of tadpoles continuing to develop; it won’t be long before they become frogs feasting on slugs and snails.
Other flowers I saw along the way were;
-and Hedge garlic/ Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata).
This week has been great for learning new bird sounds too. I have discovered a Dunnock (Prunella modularis) and a Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) nearby without seeing them. Over the last few days I have heard another beautiful sound too. Each year I have Blue tits (Parus caeruleus) nesting under the eaves and it won’t be long before I hear their young. It is a fantastic sign of spring, better than anything the Easter bunny could bring (chocolate eggs are a close second though).
Yesterday I spent time visiting The Vyne (National Trust). The main attraction was the English Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) on the woodland walk. The views were enchanting and smell delightful.
Also flowering near the Bluebells were Wood Anemones (Anemone nemorosa).
I spotted more Orange-tip butterflies there along with some Speckled wood butterflies (Pararge aegeria) flitting about.
It was a lovely way to spend a sunny Easter Sunday in good company.
On Wednesday morning I noticed a Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) collecting small twigs and fluffy Clematis seed heads. Later on I saw it take the nesting material to a chimney, from which another adult Jackdaw appeared. Chimneys are popular nesting sites for this bird which explains one dialectal name for it, the Chimney-sweep bird.
To me Jackdaws are handsome, I like the Jackdaws sleek black and grey plumage, pale eyes and distinctive corvid appearance.
Since that sighting I have discovered some fascinating facts about Jackdaws.
– Initially they are born completely black with pale blue-grey coloured eyes. As a juvenile their iris colour initially changes to brown (during their first winter) to pale grey (once their recognisable adult black and grey colouring develops). Also as they age Jackdaw plumage can become more grey.
– Their eggs have a beautiful speckled pattern on a light blue background.
– They are social and intelligent birds. According to studies they can recognise individual people and be trained to learn tricks and skills. Their problem solving abilities are used in the wild too.
One of my favourite spring flowers is blooming now, the Snake’s Head Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris). Classified as vulnerable in the wild (see www.wildlifetrusts.org) it is increasingly planted in gardens.
Having avoided colds and flu all autumn and winter, as spring arrives and I manage to catch a head cold; I suspect the changeable weather hasn’t helped.
The weather yesterday was also mixed; a cold wind accompanied the sun which occasionally revealed itself from behind the clouds.
More colours are appearing in nature. Blue and purple joining the yellow and white; highlighted by the sun.
The early spring flowering Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) blooms are starting to fade now.
The Forget-me-not (Myosotis) is complimented by the vibrant Aubretia.
Sweet Violet (Viola odorata) and Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) grow in quieter shady areas of the garden. Green Alkanet is tolerated because it is loved by bees early in the season.
During late afternoon the sun came out for longer periods which lifted my spirits. I decided to go for a short walk to help clear my head.
On my journey I noticed the grass verges were full of the yellow and white of Daisies (Bellis perennis) and Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale). As I continued along the path my attention was directed towards the hedgerow. Amongst the ivy (Hedera helix) and Dandelions growing there were Wood Avens (Geum urbanum), Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) and Common Field Speedwell (Veronica persica).
One delicate wild flower whose blooms shone through the greenery was that of the Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea).
Intriguingly other common names for this plant include Wedding Cakes, Star-of-Bethlehem, Daddy’s Shirt Buttons and Poor Man’s Buttonhole.
According to folklore, Stitchwort can cure stitch. I wonder what plant cures head colds?
Birdsong filled the air throughout the day. The calls I could identify were of Robins, Blackbirds and a Long-tailed tit. I also heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major) drumming against a tree and a couple of Tawny owl (Strix aluco) calls in the morning. Once the sun broke through the cloud lots of insects started flying around too.
In the morning I noticed another Harlequin ladybird, this one was sheltering on a Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’. Unlike Seven spot ladybirds I only find Harlequins one at a time.
During the afternoon a female Red-tailed Bumblebee was enjoying the flowers blooming on a Berberis darwinii shrub. Pollen sacks can be seen as well as her proboscis as she collects pollen and nectar.
Lastly, I saw a Small White butterfly warming up on some ivy.
The dull weather forecast to the start of the week was definitely correct; I opened the curtains yesterday morning to dull and chilly weather. While half asleep I mentally prepared myself for the day ahead; suddenly I noticed a fox run across the carpark. I tried to follow its route but was unable to see where it went. It brightened up my day to see this unusual sighting. 🦊
Bee in the Moment 