It’s amazing what a little bit of rain can do, this morning there seems to of been an explosion of new growth. With the sun warming the air, already at a nice 11 degrees, a beautiful Robin sat singing from the top of a Buddleia bush, its red breast shining bright in that morning sun.
The meadows are still looking beautiful and constantly changing, today with the sun behind me I was almost blinded by the brightest of yellows from thousands of Cowslips. In-between the Cowslips, Bulbous Buttercup and Dandelions also shine bright yellow, and splashes of Purple fill in the gaps from Early Purple Orchids.
In the Paddock a Song Thrush sang from the hedge-line, joined also by a Whitethroat and Chaffinch. Above Skylarks sang their beautiful sweet tune flying in a star shape. Lovely little Adders Tongue Fern poked out from the short grass in Saxon and as I walked through this diverse field, I had a wonderful sight of a Lesser Whitethroat.
Along a newly laid hedge-line Bluebells are in full bloom and two Red-tailed Bumble Bees were sucking on its sweet nectar. Lords and Ladies stand tall and Birds-foot Trefoil is now in flower. In Herron Ground Red Clover and ‘a Vetch’ are starting to flower next to the lovely yellows. A Meadow Pipit was sat on a wall then flew down to be covered by a longer patch of grass, and a group of Linnets flew over-head.
In Johnston Meadow and exciting spot for me as I spotted two Redpolls, the first time I have been able to successfully identify them. Three Roe Deer sat in their usual spot as I headed out to see the cows.
On the downs purple and blue Chalk Milkwort, Birds-foot Trefoil and Field Speedwell are all now in flower. I found our lovely heard of Hereford Cattle mums relaxing and sunning themselves, while the young calves slept soundly next to them. A few were missing so I carried on my search for the rest, to find them returning from a nearby water trough. All happy and healthy!! On my walk back another exciting spot as two Swifts flew over, summer is really on its way!!
The bird ringers had their first Whinchat and a Garden Warbler, and possible heard a Redpoll.