Author: BITM

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Different sort of Easter chicks

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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.

On Thursday I walked home again, discovering yet more wildflowers blooming along the verge. The most prolific was Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris). Also called Queen Anne’s Lace or Wild Chervil it is pictured below amongst Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) and White Dead-nettle (Lamium album).

Other flowers I saw along the way were;

-Honesty/ Moonwort/Money plant (Lunaria annua)

-Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

-Dove’s foot cranesbill (Geranium molle)

-Cuckooflower/ Lady’-smock (Cardamine pratensis)

-and Hedge garlic/ Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata).

I know this plant as Jack-by-the-hedge. I’m not entirely sure why it has this name. I guess it refers to being commonly found near hedgerows and Jack used to be a common name. Apparently the leaves, which have a mild garlic smell and taste, can be eaten in salads and sauces with meat or fish (Garlic mustard- Wildlife Trusts).

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.

Posted in nature

Love is in the air

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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.

Taking a break from nest building.

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.

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Clearing my head

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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?

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🌞Sunny weather brings many sightings

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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.

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A bright start to a gloomy day

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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. 🦊

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Caught in the act

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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.

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Successful photo shoot

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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.

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First flight of the year

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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.

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Love at first flight?

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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.