on the lane to Latchley

It is a pity we are unable to record and post the sounds we hear on our walk. There are horses, sheep and cattle in this barn all making a noise plus several cockerels. Note escapees on right.

on the lane to Latchley

I thought for a moment that this was an osprey returning from the Middle East for the summer. It looked very pale for a buzzard, and unlike most buzzards did not fly off when it realised we were taking a close interest in it. However, on close inspection it lacks the white forehead of the osprey, and it must be a large fluffy, probably young, buzzard warming itself in the early morning sun.

underneath the nuthatch tree

this nuthatch was singing very tunefully today. His upper parts are a blue grey, but his underparts shown here are a fetching orange, and his beak is unmistakeable.

inter stellata space

dog's eye view inside the stellata shrub, contemplating the sky

and the blackthorn bush is on the verge of flowering.

no more hystaria

our wistaria is not out yet, but the magnolia stellata is blooming

more Spring things

everything is coming out at once this year, including the exuberant and fleshy marsh marigold (also called kingcups, or bachelor's buttons) (top) and an almost perfect, if quite early cuckoo (or may) flower.