So in the sunshine Helen and I set off to walk around the patch taking the same route as that we did on Easter Monday. As we walked up Reads Field the Rooks were hanging around the houses perched on the roof, just looking for any opportunity of an easy meal.
Weathermore Lane looked completely different from when we walked it a week ago. There were puddles along the track, but more appealing was the sunlight through the branches of the oak trees that extend over the lane.
There were also butterflies, mostly Orange Tips, and for the first time this year the females were more dominant. At first they can appear like a Small White, but views of the under wing reveal the lovely green pattern.
While on the upper wing there are black tips where on the male they are orange.
The walk through Lords Wood and up Kitwood Lane was uneventful and crossing the field a few swallows drifted across. Blackcap and Chiffchaffs sang as we walked to Newtown Farm, but it was surprisingly quiet. As we walked down the bridleway towards Hawthorn Lane the view was quite impressive across the fields towards Winchester Wood.
We stopped where the bridleway reaches the road to talk with a couple. They picked out a single Brown Hare very distantly crossing the field towards the Mountains Plantations.
Crossing on to the Lye Way Bridleway the woods on the other side were dark, but punctuated by sunlight and cherry blossom.
I then picked out a Firecrest singing from a patch of Hazel and Elder just off the bridleway. One of my favourite birds I can't resist these little beauties so I stopped to wait and watch.
As they sing they are constantly feeding.
They are stunning birds and appear to becoming a lot commoner than they once were. This was my second bird found around the patch this year.
A little further on the "kronking" calls above us alerted us to a pair of Raven flying over and interacting with each other.
The sheltered aspect of the lane means this is a good spot for butterflies. Speckled Wood and Peacock were about and also more Orange Tips, again another female.
Red Admirals were attracted to the Crab Apple blossoms.
As we reached the end of the bridleway a pair of Yellowhammer were dust bathing on the path.
We walked through Old Down Wood with little else about. On arriving home yet another pair of Rook were in the trees around the garden.
Sitting in the garden in the afternoon I was alerted, by numerous alarm calls from Blue Tits and Robins, to a raptor flying across the garden, from the shape and speed it could only be a Hobby.
I didn't get out on Monday, but was able to take a walk through Old Down on Tuesday. Entering by the Brislands entrance we took the north perimeter path. The Bluebells here are just starting to go over but in places they were still looking vibrant especially where the afternoon sunshine filtered through to pick them out.
There were a few more Early Purple Orchids flowering, the spikes emerging above the bluebells and Dog Mercury.
And a view from above.
Other plants of interest emerging were the Solomon's Seal.
The Latin name is Polygonatum, which is Greek for "many knees" which refers to the multiple jointed rhizome or roots. There are several explanations as to how the plant got its name, one is that the roots bear depressions that look like royal seals while another is that the cut roots resemble Hebrew characters.
Another flower emerging and very popular with the bees is the Bugleherb. This is a herbacious flowering plant and is a member of the mint family. The flowers are very attractive to insects
Wild Garlic or Ransoms have been flowering in places for the last week but over the last few days they have suddenly exploded into bloom, large patches appearing amongst the undergrowth and in the bluebell patches.
Another flower appearing amongst the bluebells is Yellow Rattle, The name is a combination of the yellow flowers that appear now and the seeds that dry out and rattle in their seed pods in the summer.
Red Admirals were still on the wing taking in the early evening sunshine in open places.
After another break on Wednesday we took Brislands down to Gilbert Street on Thursday. Just past the turn to Old Down Wood there were several Green-veined Whites on the Garlic Mustard plants.
Aside from a pair of Bullfinches near the turn there was little bird life about. Butterflies were about but never stopping to allow a photograph.
In the fields behind Andrews Lane there were many very young lambs, their bleats giving them away before we saw them. This little one was wandering around on his own, its bleats not initially alerting its mother.
But soon it was joined by some other lambs.
And eventually the mother walked over with its sibling and a reunion was quickly made.
Friday saw us walk up Blackberry Lane and then along Telegraph Lane to Willis Lane. More Orange Tips about lured by the Garlic Mustard plants that are now flowering.
Red Campion was in flower their pinkish red flowers standing out amongst the whites and blues in the verges.
From Willis Lane we took the footpath that leads through to the Garthowen garden centre. As we came out of the tunnel we heard a Cuckoo call from the direction of Hawthorn Lane. It was only a few calls and we didn't hear it again. Cuckoo is quite rare around here these days. The birds they would normally use to lay eggs in don't really nest here so they just appear on passage.
At the top of the path there were Linnet and this Bullfinch feeding on dandelion seeds in the field.
I have seen Bullfinches feeding on the ground like this before in the New Forest around Highland Water.
There are quite a few Dandelion seed heads about now and they always provide a source of inspiration against a dark background.
The Blue-eyed Mary flowers were iridescencing in the shade, a gorgeous blue.
Just before we reached home I noticed an orange blur on one of the cow parsley plants. As I got closer I realised it was a male Orange Tip at rest on the flower.
I was able to get a little closer before a Woodpigeon burst from the tree above and disturbed it.
The weekend brought the opportunity to do something a little different, however the early morning was overcast and misty and a little cooler than expected. It was due to burn off though so I set off on my own for a good walk. As I approached the turn for Gradwell along Brislands I heard a Goldcrest singing. I had photographed one here before and thought I would try again as it was still overcast. I walked down the lane only to hear both the Goldcrest and a Firecrest singing. I managed to find the Firecrest and enjoyed some wonderful views of the lovely little bird. I must admit I ignored the Goldcrest, sorry.
It was a little difficult due the gauging the light and exposure as it moved quickly through the branches and leaves singing and feeding.
There were though some times when it appeared with a lovely background.
I really can't get enough of these feisty little birds. This would now be the third location I have found them around the patch this year.
And yet another background.
Finally on a leylandii branch.
By now the sun was breaking through, it had been a good start to the day. The next stop was Old Down Wood where a Chiffchaff showed well.
And as I walked to the West End of the wood I came across a Marsh Tit preening in the sunshine completely oblivious of me.
From the wood I headed down through the Desmond Paddocks and up Andrews Lane. At the paddocks there a pair of Mistle Thrush were feeding in the fields while Swallows circled above the horse stables.
At the top of the lane I was taken by this clump of Cowslips against a black background.
Bullfinches were calling from the small group of Crab Apple trees but never showed clearly enough for a photograph. I turned away and on to Lye Way Lane. The sheep were now all confined to one field. I scanned through them and found what I had hoped for but had never considered a certainty, a male Wheatear feeding around the sheep.
It was busy feeding, moving around and spearing at some insect or bug in the grass. This brought it closer to me as I stood by the fence.
I have seen several around here as then move through on passage. This one was very upright and appeared to be quite large. This time of year is always good for a local rarity around here so I was pleased I had decided to venture further a field today.
Dragging myself away from the Wheatear I watched a Red Kite drift across the fields.
I stopped for a singing Wren but quickly turned away when I heard a Whitethroat singing to my right. Once again this is the time of year when this migrant turns up and the spot where it was singing from is usually where they are first seen.
My walk then took me down Charlwood and onto the fields of Plain Farm. I haven't been here for a long time. The footpath through the bushes to the Plaindell cottages was overgrown and also has been used for the tipping of building material which was disappointing. Blackcap and Chiffchaff sang from the scrub, while I flushed a pair of Stock Dove and Red-legged Partridge.
Rather than walk the lane I decided to be a good boy and walked the official footpath. This turned out to be quite successful with three Brown Hares and a pair of very distant Grey Partridges. The path took me through a field of rapeseed with some incredible colours.
I walked along the road to the cattle grid that leads up to the Rotherfield Estate. A Yellowhammer was singing here settle at first in the Oak tree.
Then moving to the scrub where it didn't stay long and flew off.
Finally settling to sing in the Hawthorn bushes.
It has been a very good spring for seeing Small Tortoiseshells, plenty more than I came across last year which has to be encouraging. One settled in the grass alongside me.
And as I set off to walk up the hill I disturbed another Brown Hare.
As I watched the Hare I noticed the Cowslips that were in flower in the verge of the field.
Just before the turn onto the Lye Way Bridleway I heard another Goldcrest and this time I did stop for it. Here you can see the differences with the Firecrest which it is confused with.
And just to emphasise the point I came across the Firecrest once again along the bridleway. The white supercilium and much more "fiery" crest.
I don't recall having some many Firecrest experiences!
A male Brimstone settled on the dead leaves.
But the biggest surprise was this female Broad-bodied Chaser, goodness knows where this came from as there is no pond or water that know of close by.
Winchester Wood runs parallel with the bridleway with a field in between. It looks dark and foreboding for most of the year but in spring with the new leaf growth and bluebells flowering it is transformed. Add a little sunshine and it is a picture.
Coming out into the open the calls of Raven could be heard. It didn't take much to find them, both sitting at the top of a pylon.
A new butterfly for the year was the Large White, but they like all the butterflies along the bridleway were warmed up and not stopping, there were Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Small White and the aforementioned Large White.
I made my way home through Old Down Wood. I spent some time around the Green Hairstreak site but with no luck. I did though find this Cuckoo Bee as I made my way out of the wood at Gradwell.
And that was pretty much it for the day, the last thing that caught my eye was this newly flowering Cow Parsley caught in the sunshine against the black background.
And that was Week Five, a lovely week for weather, it also met its expectations for birds, although the Swallows are not regular around the stables and the House Martins have not returned to the house yet.
Later in the week looks likely to change on the weather front, I suppose it couldn't last. It will though provide something different I am sure.
Please take the time to check the other tabs on the home page these will provide information on the sites I refer to and also provide details of the species I have seen in the time I have been watching the patch.
