Swopping across the bright blue sky was a single Swallow, its shape, colour and action making it unmistakable, as was the sound of a Greenfinch coming from behind me. Turning this green bird was standing at the top of a leaf covered Hawthorn, singing away.
A scratchy sound of a Common Whitethroat, came from nearby, making me search through the blossom of the Blackthorn, and the thorny lengths of the Brambles to find it – which I did.
On the ground a yellow spot caught my attention, my first flower of the Horseshoe Vetch of the year, quickly followed by 2 or 3 more. Around them some bright blue Chalk Milkwort and the fascinating tall stems of the Salad Burnet, some of which were topped with their round ball, covered in flowers on lines.
Once looking downward more flowers appear, including many Early Spider Orchids (brown furry ‘flowers’ on pale green stems), now emerging also some Early Purple Orchids (which I think look pink) and some more purple coloured Green Winged Orchids.
Adding to my ‘new for 2025’ list was a clump of the yellowy-green, almost furry Crosswort, as well as two vetches – the pinky=purple Common Vetch and the yellow Bird’s-foot Trefoil.
The Apple and Pear trees seem to have a lot of blossom this year. Hidden amongst the flowers on the Pear tree was a very noisy and powerful Wren, which took me ages to spy.
A flock of Linnets twittering above, then landed amongst the bare twigs of an Elder, allowing a good view, while a Skylark was producing beautiful tunes as it hovered way above.
Last night I spent a bit of time watching three Badgers, as they trundled along, then stopping to have a snuffle and feed before two had a quick tumble together before moving on – such a treat.