The moth trap was out last night but only produced 15 species, it was perhaps a bit chilly and breezy. The highlights were a black and white spotted Cream Spot Tiger, which has a red underneath and a wonderfully furry Pale Tussock. The remaining species were a variety of browns from Heart and Dart, Trebles Lines, Buff Ermine, Vines Rustic and Shuttle-shaped Dart. While Whitepoint, Pale Brocade and Common Swift are more colourful varieties.
Off through the woodland this morning where the variety of greens is quite amazing, I sat on the newly cleaned ‘Egyptian Seat’ looking up through the Sycamore, Ash, Elm and Hazel leaves. Moving through the leaves were some Blue Tits and Great Tits and chattering of activity, as I searched a bit harder Wrens, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird and Chiffchaffs also came into view.
Scampering through the woods were a couple of Grey Squirrels, one of these disturbing a Great Spotted Woodpecker which was perched on a Holm Oak trunk.
Coming up the field a splash of Meadow Vetchling caught my attention, the yellow flowers amongst the Crested Dog’s Tail, Coltsfoot, Quaking Grass and Tall Fescue grasses. A little further along the strange leaves of Yellow Vetchling were obvious, they have large pale green leaves facing up the stem, and these are one of our rarest flowers.
Watching me from near the hedge was a Roe Deer, the antlers of this male silhouetted by the dark skies behind.
The delicate blue flowers of Common Forget-me-not contrast with the brighter Germander Speedwell, the stockier Bugle and the much larger Green Alkanet and the mass swathes of Pale Flax across the meadows, all different varieties of blues out at the moment.
Around a Hawthorn, which is still covered with white blossom, flew 2 Bullfinches, their white rumps easily seen as they went past, in the tree was a Chaffinch, singing loudly while on the top-most twig was occupied by a Goldfinch – all such beautiful birds.