I decided that I needed to go and see what the Bluebells were like in Old Down, I haven't been in there for some time, and as the weather was lovely this evening I thought I would take a look. My walk took me down Brislands Lane where I was serenaded by several Blackbirds and a few Robins. The leaves are now all completely out and everything looks splendid in the evening sunshine.
As I left the houses the field to the south of the lane was full of rape and shining bright yellow in the sun, It was though probably past its best now, with the blooms fading a little, but still quite spectacular.
It is quite a while now since all the forestry work in the wood. Straight after that the ground was clear and the flowers could be seen quite easily. Since then though with the extra light the bracken and bramble has flourished, and it is hard to see through to the floor, and as a consequence where there were carpets of bluebells these have now been engulfed by the tangle of bramble.
I walked through to the crossroads,and then turned to the east, a detour to check if the owl was about, which it wasn't, and then back onto the main path. What bluebells there were are now past there best, so I decided to check on the other side of the wood. here there were a few more, and in a slightly better condition.
Sometimes it is better to view the bluebells under cloud cover as the sunlight seems to wash out the blue.
Along the edge of the wood they were perhaps still at their best.
As I walked out of the wood i was taken by the trees above me and the leaves against the sky.
The path that leads to Gradwell Lane takes you through the Rape field. Probably not ideal if you suffer from hay fever, but nonetheless impressive
Coming back along Gradwell Lane a male Orange Tip butterfly flew past, and then flew around as if looking to land. After an age it finally settled and I was able to get in close to photograph it.
Another insect that is still about is the Bee Fly, this year due to the cold spring they have been very late emerging. A cross between a bee and a fly this little insect has a very different approach to egg laying, flicking the eggs from the oviduct into the vegetation or holes. I videoed this one, I don't think it was egg laying, but the down draft from the wings was clearing away small particles of soil.
With the sunny weather holding over the weekend, I decided to put the moth trap out for the first time this year. Whilst there was nothing really spectacular, it was nice to start to look at the moths once again. This is a Pale Tussock, a moth I have regularly caught over the years.
This one again a regular in the garden, the White Ermine.
While this one is not so regular, the Figure of Eighty so called for the mark on the side that looks like the number 80.
Other moths present but not photographed were Brimstone, Clouded Border and the Flame Shoulder.
The juvenile Robins are still present, and are now getting their adult plumage. This will put pressure on them as the parents will not want them about. Both fledglings have become quite brazen in coming for mealworms which presents us with a problem, as they may become too dependent on these easy hand outs, but it is lovely to see and feed them.
Of the other garden nesting birds the Starlings sound like they will fledge any day, and while the Blackbirds seem to have been feeding birds, there has not been any sign of fledglings in the garden.
On Sunday the House Martins were starting to re-build the nest under the eaves that fell down over the winter.
For the first time since I have been writing this blog I have missed a complete month. During April we were away in Sri Lanka, details of which can be seen here, and that combined with the awful late spring weather we have been having and the fact that I was in Germany for the short heatwave, have not really made it conducive for any wildlife watching.
So far I have Seen only one Swallow around the village, this passed through in the late afternoon of Tuesday the 24th. never a truer statement than one Swallow doesn't make a summer! Of the House Martins, that last year arrived ten days earlier than their usual timing, there has not been any sign, and with the current weather and forecast I don't expect to see them before the end of the coming weekend
Butterflies have been far and few between, a single Peacock on the 21st is the sole total so far this year, but I must admit I didn't go looking during the short heatwave as I was away in Munich a the the time.
The resident birds though have started breeding, singing Song and Mistle Thrush and the Blackbirds signal the fact that there must be nests nearby, and in my garden one pair of Blackbirds and both pairs of Robins have been taking mealworms away to presumably feed to nestlings. Interestingly our tame Blackbird has paired with a female that has a damaged tail, and as yet it doesn't seem that they have bred, they both come to feed, and do not take anything away with them. The tame male though, will call the female when worms are put out.
Of the regular migrants aside from the House Martins and Swallows, Chiffchaffs have been heard singing along the lanes, and there are also a few Blackcaps in song. I have also heard in the middle of the night, Tawny Owls calling.
Around the fields there are lambs, but they don't look very happy about it, they need the sun to bring out the best in them.
So with very little seen recently here are some reminders of what should be about, and the hope that soon the weather will behave, and we can enjoy a proper spring before it merges into the summer doldrums.
By now Swallows should be lining up on the overhead wires around the stables....
While not a common summer visitor, by now I would have expected to have heard the lovely trilling and cascading song of the Willow Warbler.
By the way there was an explosion of blossom just after the mini heatwave in the middle of April, but that has now been virtually blown away by the recent high winds and rain.
There are Lambs about but as yet they have not been able to enjoy conditions such as these.
And butterflies such as this Small Tortoiseshell have been as common as rocking horse faeces.....
There are pockets of Bluebells about along the roadside, and I hoipe that with the forecast dry and bright weather this weekend I can get the chance to enjoy the annual bluebell event in Old Down Wood, along with as well a few Early Purple Orchids.
So it is a case of waiting, today the rain falls and the temperature is struggling to get anywhere near double figures, surely spring has to return soon?
