Garden Project April 2025

 With the last 2 weeks' warm and sunny weather, the garden has suddenly come to life. Thanks to all the hard work done by friends from Paxton Pits Volunteers over the last 3 weeks, I am able to enjoy the flowers and insects. 

Spring Markers 2025

 As today is officially (according to some!) the first day of Spring, I did my usual recording of what is in flower. There seem less species around - perhaps as a result of the very dry summer. Violets and celandine are two species that have declined and are certainly woodland 'cool/wet' species. The Kingcups, Comfrey and Ground Ivy are not yet showing buds. (2024 comparison Ann Miles Blog: Spring Markers 2024)

 Many thanks to Ann, Mike, Carina and Stephen for coming over from Paxton to clear some of last year's dead stalks and leaves from the garden  and give the pond its annual rake out. Frustrating to have to watch but I certainly don't want to end up delaying my recovery from surgery.

First Breeding Bird Survey of 2024

Yesterday was my first Breeding Bird Survey for 2024 in Hardwick Woods on a cool misty but relatively bright morning starting at the required half hour after sunrise (yes I waited till the clocks went forward!). This Dunnock typifies the 'soft' light conditions. The wood is currently closed to the public and will be for the foreseeable future - this is to protect the habitat. Even with the closure people have been tramping through especially off the main tracks which are knee deep in mud in places - this is resulting in damage to the environment.  The spring flowers are mostly in bloom with the bluebells just starting. Most of images were taken looking into the wood from the Bridleway; The Oxlips were through the fence in the new enclosure which I helped coppice this year - the plants are thriving in the open canopy and away from munching deer.

'Signs of Spring' Survey at Paxton Pits

 Our first survey of the year at Paxton is always along the main Heron Trail recording any wildlife (plants in leaf/flower, birds, insects). This is a useful year-to-year comparison. Despite the cold and blustery conditions, the sunny intervals brought out quite a bit of insect life. My favourite was the Simulid midge - minute but amazingly sculptured - it is on a nettle leaf so the stinging hairs give scale!!. We were pleased to see our new bee terrace being used - Andrena bicolor was the commonest bee recorded there.

Spring Markers 2024

I have been recording the flowers out on approximately the same day in March for at least 15 years.With the warm winter, it is not surprising that this year there are more species in bloom at the moment with Cowslips, Plum blossom, Japonica, Comfrey, Alkanet all a couple of weeks ahead of last year. Certainly I have a very large number of wild or naturalised plants already in bloom and attracting insects such this Early Bumblebee, Bombus pratorum on the Mahonia.