Wow, what a beautiful morning! The sound of Skylarks followed me around my whole walk today, from Saxon, through the meadows and out on the downs a constant sweet tune came from above. Starting my walk at South Barn the sound of a Songbird was a lovely beginning. I walked past a dense patch of hedge-line where the sound of House Sparrows rang out, not one in sight but I do love the sound of hustle and bustle from deep within the hedge. Although feeling very over-dressed already the warm morning sun was very welcome.
A Bullfinch sat on top of a Sycamore tree, a Robin sang from a Blackthorn tree and a Stonechat made the sound of tapping stones from the top of a Hawthorn, all singular and all on different trees. A line of quickly drying frost along a meadow edge was a reminder that Spring has only just arrived.
The sound of a Green Woodpecker came from behind, an unmistakable sound, above Corvids flew, Raven and Carian Crow. Wild Parsnip, Lords and Ladies and leaves of Birds-foot Trefoil all showing in the short grasses.
In the meadows Skylarks sat within the grass, not quite tall enough to hide them yet. Please stick to the paths and keep your dog next to you to protect these endangered ground nesting birds. Walking up onto the downs still the Skylarks were singing from above. Eye-bright is now in flower and my search for flowering Early-Spider Orchids and Early Purple Orchids only found buds and many, many Basel florets.
Another constant on my walk today were the Stonechats, they also seemed to be in every field I walked. As I still searched for Orchid flowers, I found a couple of Lesser Bloody-nosed Beetles and some Brown-lipped Snails. It won’t be long before we start our annual Orchid Surveys, there are still a few places available so do get in touch if you’d like to join us. (You don’t even need to be able to identify them as we will teach you on the day!)
A lovely Blackcap sang in full voice from a hedge-line, Goldfinches flew over and further on a Greenfinch also sang from a Hawthorn, a very harmonious filled morning!