From Reservoir Copse the distinctive call of a Chiff Chaff rang out. It was brief, but I believed I saw the flash of a Greenfinch as it left a Sycamore. From the wildlife garden there was much Blue Tit activity perhaps influenced by there being a pair of Magpies about?
Two dog walkers commented upon the abundance of Skylark song and asked when meadow edge paths would be mown and “ground nesting birds” signs placed out. All I could say was soon! It was fascinating watching a Skylark “hovering” and singing at the same, what energy that must take! I heard at least three singing simultaneously and certainly they were around Eight Acres, Hogget Mead and Johnston Meadow as Saxon Field.
Upon the wares at head height there was a Brown Tailed Moth tent amongst Blackthorn. The miniature menacing caterpillars were about five millimetres long. The web out riggers contained fascinating patterns. Near John & Pat’s stone bench the basal rosette with striations upon its leaves had a fingertip size bud which will reveal an Early Spider Orchid flower.
Off shore the sea was clam and pot fishing vessel PE1124 headed homewards skimming another marker buoy off the gully mouth.
I found Bittercress growing upon an anthill, I had to touch this delicate plant which caused its seedpods explode successfully dispersing seeds! A Banded Snail was amongst the fresh leaves of Honeysuckle beside the drove drystone wall. The North – South Drove gave a rather good show of Blackthorn blossom perhaps thank to its shelter. A few lanky stems of blackthorn had eventually been brought down to ground level due thanks to the winter cover of Evergreen Ivy leaves.
Today I counted twenty-nine cattle Hereford, which suggested one was hiding we hope. As I inspected the electric fence-line near California Farm a Cock Pheasant explored amongst the fresh Nettle growth. Above a few of the tall slender Sycamores had a few leaves open. Meanwhile, Elder, which was keen to open leaves, was in places showing flower stems and buds. In quarry field the pond was dry, but Speedwells were in flower nearby.