Wild Wanderings

SUNSHINE....Buzzard , Butterflies and Bees

Diary Entry 22nd April 2018

SUNSHINE!! …what a wonderful few days of sunshine this week so far.

Things have really come to life all around. The paddock is literally buzzing with Bees and insects.

We have two Skimmia shrubs which have burst into blossom and I counted at least sixty Honey Bees on the heads on one day last week. I don’t know which hive they are from, but it was great to see them as Honey Bees are under pressure now. I have often thought of getting a hive or of letting the local Bee organisation place one for me. The biggest issue are the two Boxer dogs which I exercise every day over there. Boxers are so inquisitive and nosey they are bound to get stung. I’ll give it some thought though.

The birds are in pairs now. I have noted pairs of Blue Tits, Greenfinches, Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings and even Carrion Crows and of course Pidgeon’s.

I spotted the first House Martin this year on Tuesday. It was noticeable by it white rump and its joined tail shape as opposed to the swallow forked tail. A sure sign things are moving ahead now.

The whole season seems to be about three weeks behind, but I am sure it will all catch up.

At the far end of the paddock I have a small bench where I often sit and muse on things awhile.

I was taking a quite break there on Wednesday when a shadow of a big bird came across my head from across the other fields. I thought it was a large crow but when I looked up it was a beautiful Buzzard. It was cruising on the thermals and obviously hadn’t spotted me as I was hidden by the hedge. The patterns on the underside of the wings and body of this wonderful bird were so strong and clear. Luckily, I had my camera beside me and so I lifted it and managed to get a few shots. I could see the bird actually look at me and then started to ascend on the warm air. It was a beautiful private display of grace and power. They are wonderful when they play like this sometimes they are in pairs or even threes gently weaving in and out up and down buzzing each other. It wasn’t long before a Crow decided to spoil the display and started harassing the lone Buzzard. Together they climbed into the cloudless sky until the Crow gave up the mission and the Buzzard gently moved away into the distance.

Butterflies too have been active this week. As usual it was a Small Tortoiseshell I spotted first. It was a ragged individual and was probably one that had hibernated over here for the winter. Two Small Whites and a single Brimstone were also noted. I don’t see many Brimstones but always manage to spot one or two.

The newly planted Lady Smock (Cuckoo Plant) has also come into bloom with its small purple flowers. The small bog area I have created over the winter seems to be doing its job. Wild Primroses are also in bloom. All we need now is an Orange Tip to stop by for a photo shoot. Maybe sometime soon.

Till tomorrow.