Thanks once again to volunteer blogger Emma for this piece...
I was very pleased to return to Coombes this week and I was treated to my first walk there on a sunny day. The place is even more beautiful when the sun shines and it brought out not only other observers but also plenty of wildlife for them to observe! Clough Meadow is now alive with butterfly activity with small whites, peacocks and orange-tips dancing gracefully from flower to flower. As sightings of the last two are markers of the definite arrival of spring, we are doing well so far!
The arrival of the bluebells proper is yet another of these markers and they are now carpeting the banks and woods especially on the return walk from the pond. They are almost at their best so an imminent visit is advised to catch the full glory of these beauties. Bluebells are by no means the only new floral arrivals since my last visit a couple of weeks ago. Pink purslane abounds by the first footbridge with its five delicate, candy-striped petals and it also punctuates later stretches of moist woodland. Other newcomers include red campion – which is of course pink! - lady’s smock, violets and greater stitchwort. The latter, with its white flowers, tends to grow close to bluebells and is all the more striking for this in the contrast it creates.
Pink purslane
Yet another sign of spring – I’m counting now! – is the hawthorn and the trees are in various stages of flowering along the paths. They are joined by the equally lovely white blossoms of bird cherries or ‘watereri’. On the subject of trees, I notice that the oak and ash seem to be keeping pace with one another this year, so it’s hard to say if we’re in for a soak or a splash!
It is easy to get carried away with all this plant development and I must not overlook what has been happening with the birdlife. Their singing is at full volume now with all the usual suspects joining in including song thrushes, nuthatches, goldfinches and treecreepers and I am even treated to a sighting of a buzzard who soars over on cue as I arrive at Buzzard Bank.
Buzzard
Taking a detour from the path at Clough Meadow cottage to join the valley loop, I spy a pair of what I think are willow warblers literally feathering their nest in the apple tree near to the decked walkway. If anyone can confirm if it is indeed this species nesting here, I’d be glad to hear of it! However, for me, the star of the show this week has to be the pied flycatcher. A couple of pairs are very active now by the first footbridge over the brook and at the pond with regular visits to nest boxes 36 and 31 respectively.
I take a moment to step back from focussing on the detail to take in the full picture instead. What I particularly notice is how beautiful the meadows are now filled with flowers, grasses and butterflies. Another feature worth mentioning is the striking contrast between the young pale green leaves of the beech trees with the bluebells below them. The paleness of the leaves at this time of year is so short-lived and I am glad that I have had the opportunity to appreciate this.
Emma Yates 27/4/11