I passed a bud laden mature Field Maple and heard the distinctive calls of a Chiff Chaff. Entering Skipworth I discover more white Blackthorn blossom decorating the hedgerows. It pleased me to see in the distance a section of thorn had been hedge laid.
Entering the Large Copse a Blue Tit was seen upon a Black Pine. Interestingly the Ash and Sycamore below the pine held only buds. Meanwhile, at ground level small Elm and Sycamore had begun leaf emergence. I walked upon cold, damp ground, in the shade of the Copse, through Taskers Meadow. It was a relief to step back out into sunlight. Tufted Vetch leaves were noted amongst the green sward.
Hearing a Chaffinch I then witnessed a Magpie trio exploring between anthills in Saxon. Heading to Hayrake Quarr I was rewarding by finding firm upright Early Spider Orchid buds. These would be so easy to trample amongst the short sward. From ground level to five centimetres tall, one of them had a clear flower peeping through. Cowslips were out in Saxon South, however, more were found out in Centenary Meadow.
Silently a male Blackbird observed from a canopy of thorns. I searched beside a water trough and along a drystone wall where Bluebells had been previously seen. None there today, instead possible Spanish Bluebells were seen beneath a fresh leaved Buddleia at the learning centre. Here too were the pineapple scented, featherlike, Tansy leaves. One dry Teasel stem stood taller than I. Likewise a Wayfaring Tree, its stems resembling a Hazel, held buds above my head beside the drove.
In Eight Acres, some four Skylark were seen. If only people would stop cutting though between the locked field gates, perhaps they might breed successfully if undisturbed. Distant Roe Deer were seen in Jack Baiss Meadow and beside Hingston Copse.
A visit to the pond in Johnston showed fifty percent visible water. Much was a float matt of moss. Appropriately, emergent white Bog Bean flowers showed.