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.
Author: BITM
Clearing my head
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?
🌞Sunny weather brings many sightings
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.
A bright start to a gloomy day
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. 🦊
Caught in the act
After many attempts, I managed to get photos of the male pheasant and one of the grey squirrels this morning.
The pheasant waiting for the bread delivery.
Unfortunately I only managed to capture one of the two squirrels; clearly I wasn’t quiet enough.
I also discovered a Harlequin Ladybird (Asian Ladybird/ Harmonia axyridis) this afternoon. I will have to enter the sighting in the UK ladybird survey.
This invasive non-native ladybird has become common in the south over the last 10 years. I have frequently seen them in the last few years.
Successful photo shoot
I have finally managed to take photos today. The sun eventually shone during late afternoon and the wildlife responded.
While weeding I noticed a Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) busily flying around, visiting the Pulmonaria (Common Lungwort) flowers that were blooming.
This plant is loved by early spring foraging bees and therefore a great plant to have in the garden.
The Common Carder bee is one of the 7 most common species of Bumblebee in the UK and one of the first bees to see emerge in Spring.
I also saw my first Coccinella septempunctata (seven-spot ladybird) of the year, sitting on a geranium leaf.
In the morning I had also noticed a group of Adalia bipunctata) 2 spot ladybirds huddled together on a Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus) plant.
First flight of the year
My first sighting of a Peacock butterfly (Aglais io) this year. After emerging from hibernation, it landed on the grass in front of me before slowly walking over a few blades and stopping still. I had to carefully move it out of the way so I could continue mowing.
Love at first flight?
I saw a wonderful sight today. It was late morning when I saw two Buzzards soaring and circling around one another, both calling. The arial display looked graceful rather than aggressive so I am guessing they were a mating pair; especially given the time of year (apparently Buzzards mate for life).
As they flew above me, I noticed that one of the buzzards had a secondary flight feather missing from its left wing; making future identification easier.
Natural therapy
Nature enables me to be mindful, focus my attention on the present moment and help combat my anxiety. I am lucky that I work outdoors (no, I don’t mind the rain and cold weather) it enables me to dose up on serotonin and vitamin D as well as get plenty of exercise. Also, I can observe nature as I work which is great therapy.
Last week was busy but I still managed to take time out of my schedule to focus on nature.
The week started joyfully with a Red-tailed bumblebee flying around me while I was working. It was a male drone, identified by its yellow markings, along with the black and red colouring. I love hearing bees buzzing, especially when it is amplified by a trumpet shaped flower or there is a chorus of them, it is so relaxing.
Then on Tuesday, while retrieving a ladder from the shed, I noticed an adult Robin trying to fly in through the shed door. Realising it probably had a nest in there I left the door ajar and walked away. After a few moments I was glad to see it fly into the shed and reappear with a fledged youngster. It was beautiful to witness this.
On my way to work, the next day, I came across a male Pheasant dining out with some sparrows and two squirrels. The pheasant and sparrows were eating some bread and birdseed (left on the lawn by one of my neighbours). The squirrels were attacking the bird feeders. I have heard the pheasant for a few weeks now but this was the first time I had seen him. The sparrows and squirrels were unfazed by him, obviously realising he was no threat. I love the colours of a male pheasant’s plumage. They are so rich and great inspiration for craftwork. I can just imagine knitting a jumper in those colours, now there’s a thought…
During Thursdays lunchtime I watched a Magpie washing its feathers in a puddle. It was splashing around for about 5 minutes, flew into the nearby conifer only to return to the same puddle for another long cleaning and preening session. Watching it made me smile.
The working week ended with a lovely lullaby. I fell asleep listening to the beautiful song of a male Blackbird. He started singing around 10:20pm. He hasn’t sung at that hour since; perhaps he was only visiting the Rowan tree outside. It is also possible that something disturbed his slumber and the lit streetlights confused his body clock. Whatever the reason for his singing at that time of night it was a lovely way to fall asleep.
☕+🐦+🌞=😁💕
I am drinking tea and listening to glorious birdsong on a crisp spring morning, with the promise of a sunny day.
Bee in the Moment 