Winter and Spring in the Same Week

Sunday (4th) was a lovely sunny day but, on Monday, we had a heavy snowstorm (the Robin must have felt at home). on our walk in Toft, we found both summer visitors like the Chiffchaff (might have overwintered) and flocks of winter visiting Fieldfares. The blackthorn is fully out with lots of insects. Green Woodpecker, Tree Creeper and many rabbits completed the list. 

Great Gransden Church, Cambridgeshire

 Continuing our exploration of local churches, we visited Great Gransden yesterday. The Grade I listed  parish church, dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, was mentioned in the Domesday Book, but no remains of that time survive. The tower was built in the late 14th century, but the whole church was rebuilt in the 15th. While we were there the clock, whose chiming mechanism is said to date from 1683, gave an impressive show.

Spring Migrants Arrive at Paxton

Last week's warm southerly obviously brought in lots of summer visitors. Paxton Pits was full of singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, and a short burst of Nightingale was heard together with sightings of Swallow and Sedge Warbler. The Grebes are still working on their nest site but making little progress with the high water level. 

Garden Safari

Here are a range of insects that were about in the garden on April 1st. First image shows a minute Barklouse which is a small, scavenging insect that feeds on fungi, algae, lichen and organic detritus under bark. The wings may be absent or reduced as in this one. The next three images are of  Hemiptera (Bugs) followed by the very attractive Hairy-footed Flower Bee and Common Carder Bee. The tiny Ichneumon lays eggs in moth larvae while the Mining Bee (Adrena nitida) will be searching for holes in the ground to lay their eggs. Safari fiished with Peacock Butterfly and Common Wasp.

 

Longstowe Church, Cambridgeshire

 The present church was built between 1863 and 1864 of brick faced with flint stone.It stands on the site of an earlier building and has various remnants including the tolling bell which dates back to the 14th century.  The original church was burnt down in 1719, but monuments to the Cage family were saved, and are now in the chancel (images 1,2). The Cage family purchased the manor of Longstowe  in 1571. It passed through various families and presently is owned by the Bevan family. The church is very dark and must be very atmospheric when all the candles and oil lamps are lit. (All images handheld at 1/15th sec and iso3200 - a tribute to my Fuji compact camera!!)