A fantastic storm last night, with huge rumbles of thunder and flashes of lightning sheeting across the sky producing alongside the mist a cooler and less humid start to the morning.
Arriving from the south was a scattering of Swallows, the deep blue wings looking amazing as the sunlight glanced over them. Also passing over were some House Martins, as they banked their white rumps showed well, this an unmistakable feature of this hirundine.
In the distance a Cuckoo was heard, the first of the year, hopefully it will hang around on the meadows.
High above, somewhere in the mist was a Skylark, its glorious voice penetrating through, while providing a steady back beat was the monotonous ‘chiff-chaff’ of a Chiffchaff. On the ground below the carpet of the Cowslips is becoming thicker and more yellow each day.
The appearance of the scratchy calls of both Lesser Whitethroat and Common Whitethroat to me signifies spring is definitely here, as they settle down to breed amongst the mosaic of habitat provided.
The Bird Ringers had a quiet morning, but did recapture a Chiffchaff and a Blackcap which had previously been rung here, this study is producing some interesting results.
Wandering on the downland a wonderful patch of 30 or so Early Purple Orchids, they seem pink to me, the spikes poking above the newly growing grasses. Also look out for the Green-winged Orchid, a shorter more purple version of the EPO.
Nearby Early Spider Orchids have been popping up, over 100 counted as I strolled along.
A Stonechat was perched on the top of a patch of Blackthorn, the blossom looking like we have has more snow. Goldfinches tinkling to each other, their gold feathers flashing in the sunlight.
Just by the Castle a female Blackcap was sitting in an Elder, allowing me a good view of her chestnut brown cap and almost grey body.
Speckled Wood butterfly, Buff-tailed Bumble Bee and Bee-fly just a few of the insect now out and about. Only 6 species in the moth trap the best being a Mullein.