Waresley Wood Spring is Here!

 This year is one of those where all the spring flowers have ended up in bloom at the same time! Ellie and I were going birdwatching at Fowlmere but the roads out of Toft in that direction all had closed signs so we headed for Waresley Wood - I said too early for Bluebells but we found them fully out along with all the other spring flowers (Wood Anemone, Celandine, Primrose, Oxlip, Dog Violet and Greater Horsetail) though no Early Spotted Orchids were found. Very bright sunlight and an 800mm - not recommended for flower photography but certainly gave some different views. Final image of a mating pair of Bee Flies - first time I have seen them coupled in flight but only got in focus as they landed.

Hardwick Wood

 A very enjoyable walk right round Hardwick Wood this afternoon with Ann and Mike. Quite a lot of Bird song including Cuckoo, ChiffChaff, Nuthatch, Gt Spotted Woodpecker etc and all the expected spring flowers - here a selection of shots (Bluebell,Wood Anemone, Primrose, Oxlip, Celandine). The area that was coppiced this year and then fenced off has wonderful large Oxlips while many in the open wood have been nibbled off, presumably by Muntjac Deer. Quite a few large White and Speckled Wood butterflies on the wing. 

Wimpole in the Mist

I took a damp misty walk round Wimpole Estate this morning - very atmospheric but difficult to photograph. I was surprised to find a primrose plant in full bloom in the midst of a lot of different fungi species (next post)

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.