rock pipits

a pair of rock pipits (I think) flirting in a meadow full of spring squill and kidney vetch. And below showing off.

scurvy grass by the sea

and here is scurvy grass growing in its natural habitat rather than by the roadside (qv), in an almost inaccessible little spot called Backways cove.

spring squill

one of the nice things about walking in new places is that you find new plants. This is spring squill, which we have neither seen nor heard of before. It is a relative of bluebells (it looks like the end of a bluebell) and grows in abundance on the cliff tops on the coastal path. It is commonly found with sea campion, and there it was (bottom picture).

Trebarwith strand

we took the bold decision today to leave the safe confines of the Tamar valley and to explore the coast of North Cornwall. This is a small clump of thrift high on the cliff overlooking Trebarwith Strand.

early purple orchid

early purple orchid growing in the hedgerow on the way into our village (duckpond to the left at the bottom of the road)

martins

rebuilding the summer house, which the previous owners have left in a very ramshackle state. A lot of mud and spit is required.