Thetford Forest

The weather forecast this morning said 'Spring!', so the kids and I went over to Brandon Country Park for a walk, a picnic, and some tree-climbing. Loads of butterflies around - Commas, Brimstones and Tortoiseshells - and several Chiffchaffs singing. A glorious day, warm enough in the sun for t-shirts, and with that lovely green smell of Spring in the air.

WWT Welney

Up to Welney today for a few hours' birding. The Washes are flooded again, after Sunday's heavy rain, so most of the waders (including the first Avocets of the year, spotted only last week) have gone where the water is shallower, and most of the Whooper Swans and all of the Pochard have left for their breeding grounds. A good range of species present nonetheless, including at least thirteen Snipe.

Peach blossom

The fan-trained peach against the vegetable garden wall is just coming into flower, and we're watching the weather forecast like hawks and rushing out to cover it with fleece if it looks like there's any risk of a frost that might nip the blooms. This strategy worked well last year, and we had a good crop of peaches despite the cold wet summer, so hopefully the same will happen this year.

Sunrise

Sunrise this morning from my front porch.

RSPB Fowlmere

Down to the RSPB reserve at Fowlmere for a walk this afternoon, dodging the showers and enjoying some late sunshine.

In celebration of sunshine

Spring in the garden

Some shots of what's in bloom in the garden today.

Milton Country Park

Over to the Country Park this morning, to walk in the sunshine while we still have it (wintry showers are forecast for later).

Birds are, top to bottom: Robin, Mallard duck, Long-tailed Tit and Collared Dove.

Knapwell Woods

Mothers Day today, and my choice of activity was a stroll round Knapwell Woods this afternoon.

The woods are on the site of an old manor house. They used to be predominantly Elm, but sadly Dutch Elm Disease has played havoc with the mature trees and the trees now are a mixture of regenerating Elm and young Ash, with the occasional mature Oak. The site hosts a fairly major badger set, and it's a good spot for badger watching in the Summer. There is also a rust-coloured chalybeate well, once held to have medicinal powers (not that I'd fancy drinking the water myself!)

Although the woods were bare of leaves today, the signs of Spring were there - new Stinging Nettles coming up, the arrow-shaped leaves of Lords and Ladies (Cuckoo Pint), and shoots of foliage giving a hint of the glories to come - Oxlips and Bluebells later in the Spring.