the importance of being yellow

A brilliant display of celandines on Broadgate lane, and a brilliant display of yellowness by a male brimstone.

spring flowers

The daffodil season is at its height now. These impressive double daffodils are growing wild at Old Mill but may well be a long established garden escapee. Greater periwinkle (vinca major) is adding vivid blue to the banks and hedgerows. It is a native species but seems to like growing near gardens as here in Tokenbury.

 

Finally, the exotic flower of rosemary, growing in a pot (!), only to demonstrate how elaborate small flowers can be.

Downderry

we went on one of our occasional walks to Seaton and Downderry this morning. The bird at the top was calling rather plaintively. It looks like a large pied wagtail, and I think it is most likely a white wagtail, a non resident bird and a very close relative of our native pied wagtail, on its way to its breeding grounds. A pair of oyster catchers also flew past.

 The cliffs at Downderry appear to have survived the great storms of the winter without too much damage.

rarity value

It has been a beautiful day. All the early butterflies (brimstone, red admiral and tortoiseshell) were out, the sap is rising, the birds are singing, the buzzards are trying each other out soaring above us; all is well. Purple toothwort used to be an absolute rarity but as can be seen from this photograph it is spreading quickly and now provides a purple haze across the forest floor reminiscent of the blaze of bluebells that will follow in May.

you looking for trouble

Feisty lamb (one of last years unless they are growing even faster) harassing timid dogs. And below the native wild daffodil is beginning to make an appearance.