I was greeted by the scratchy calls of a Whitethroats and the melodic sound of Skylarks. In Boys Brigade / Skipworth meadow there were the yellow flowers of Cowslips and Bulbous Buttercups. Much of the Blackthorn Blossom I passed was going over whilst fresh Ash leaves began to appear. Magpie flew beside the hedgerow perhaps seeking out other birds’ eggs to steal. In the canopy of the Large Copse branches were tickled by a light wind which produced a soothing sound. Below odd patches of Garlic Mustard (Jack of the Hedge) and Bluebells provided some colour. Just outside it was Ground Elder, Nettle and Goosegrass which were doing well. A few Sycamore dangled green chandelier-like flowers. A solo Long-tailed Tit flew from the Copse across Taskers to disappear into a hedgerow.
Entering Saxon, I was delighted to see a mat of Adder’s Tongue Fern. Two Skylark set up from the meadow. A pair of Dunnock of perched upon scrub cover. A Stonechat used a protruding Bramble tendril as its mount. Several patches of Crosswort might have benefitted from ground disturbance as they bloom around the circumference of an old burn site. A stem of Bittersweet had grown beside and leaned over a water trough. I doubt it could send roots into the water unlike a branch of Blackberry at another trough. A Wall Brown so briefly paused upon a dry-stone wall. The first of a few Swallows passed overhead. I notice how some clenched fist like Bracken fronds had begun to uncurl.
In Johnston Meadow a male Pheasant, and a pair of females explored the sward along with a Magpie. I had to ask one dog walker to get the lovely Collie under control to avoid disturbing pour ground nesting Skylarks. A pair of mewing Herring Gulls passed westward over the gully. Then were slowly followed by a Kestrel.