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.

Both Species Bee Flies at Stowe NT Gardens

I had my lunch break at Stowe national Trust Gardens on may way back from Bristol. There were lots of Bee Flies including my first opportunity to photograph the Dotted Bee Fly (Left, Bombyllius discolor) and well as the Dark-Edged Bee Fly (Right, Bombyllius major). Left I also enjoyed capturing spring lambs and spring flowers!