Yesterday the 18th, I think was the arrival at last of Spring…..yippee!
Our first show of Blossom this year. Not a lot I know, nor is it anything like the profusion of Blossom that is currently appearing on Blogs from Japan and North America…but it is a start.
At first light the woods could still be mistaken for winter, though the early morning sun did seem much stronger and soon cut through the still leafless canopy bring new light to the woodland floor. But you could also detect a mood change, there was a new fresh smell and ambience you associate with spring. Although there were few clues that new growth, there are some. The ‘sticky buds’ of this Chestnut tree have started to burst and will soon cover the branches with a bold flourish of new bright green leaves….
On the edge of the wood Bluebells are staring to carpet the floor. On close examination it is still just foliage, the plants are still blind, the flower still hiding in the ground awaiting the right moment….
Ivy that always seem to survive the worst is staring to encroach upon an old Hawthorn Tree and elsewhere it has taken over an old gatepost, posing the question – when is a gatepost a tree (the answer is of course never as Ivy is a parasite will never be a tree)….
The winds of the past few days have been strong but more importantly are now coming from the South and perhaps bring with it the arrival of long overdue Summer migrants. True there have been the odd reported sighting of Chiffchaff and Swallow but very few. So it is high time that the birds start to arrive in numbers. With this in mind I headed off to Carsington Water…..
Carsington is a large reservoir of strategic importance being located along the established route of the north/south migratory ‘flyway’. Perhaps the winds will have blown in some new arrivals…..Success for whilst I was there I was lucky to spot large flocks of up to 40 Swallows and a surprisingly even a few Swifts passing through on their northerly journey, pausing only to swoop over the water to feed.….but as they were far too quick for me and camera you will just have to take my word as fact!
So Spring must truly have arrived at long last. The humble resident Chaffinch also have spring much in mind, males boldly showing off their colours whilst the more subdued females cast a critical eye on each possible mate!
The colours of this handsome male positively glow as he puffs up his chest….
But will it be enough to attract this smart looking female back to his nest….
Other resident birds were just out and about enjoying the sunshine and content to watch the swallows pass on by. The Blue Tit stocking up his energy supply….
Whilst the Pied Wagtail did what it does best, find a spot to sit and bob up and down whilst watching the world go past……
But other hopeful signs of spring can also be found. On the edge of the lake the Sedge Reeds from last year, whilst dead, provide a colour foreground for the Pussy Willow popping out like cotton wool balls from the young Willow…..
In the ditch below the Sedge, whilst not as pretty, is an even better indicator that spring has sprung. New life in the making with this little patch of water holding both Frog and Toad Spawn…..
Hope indeed.
19th APRIL
© David Oakes 2013
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 