With much higher temperatures today the hour spent on my Ashtead Common transect turned out to be mainly a blue and green affair. The first butterfly recorded was a Holly Blue (above) but the most predominant species was the Brimstone (below) with 12 individuals logged in addition to Small White (1), Speckled Wood (1) and a very flighty single Green Hairstreak.
A few of the ancient oaks are in full leaf but many of the very old pollarded veterans are still waking up. It was very quiet at Flag Pond and in case you wondered that is the muddy colour of the water all year round due to the underlying clay and it plays host to three species of Newt.
A slight detour off my prescribed route provided a few views of two regular woodland species; the Treecreeper (left) and the Nuthatch which was particularly vocal today.Another surprise while watching these 'creepers; was the single hoot call of a Tawny Owl somewhere high on the ridge ... most unusual for the time of day!
Back at home I spent an hour or two doing a few tidy up jobs in the garden while listening and watching three Swifts screaming high overhead plus visits by a Holly Blue and a Small White butterfly.
I am not a fan of non-native species but these 'Spanish' Bluebells do provide a splash of colour at the moment. These invaders will have to be removed when I find the time and replaced with our native stock. Elsewhere a few different varieties of Tulip are hanging on and the herbaceous greenery is bulking up very fast.
Nesting Update:
One final good bit of news today is that we finally have evidence that a pair of Blue Tits are using the nest box in the Birch at the bottom of the garden.
I will be monitoring their progress and hope to get some better images over the coming weeks. FAB.
Linking to:
Saturday's Critters
Today's Flowers
Nature Notes
The flowers are magnificent Frank Love the shotsof the Creeper adn Nuthatch. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteHello Frank & thanks for your visit to my blog. Glad to return the visit & enjoy your great photos of the birds & butterflies & blooms in your area.
ReplyDeleteLike you I prefer the true English Bluebell.
Enjoy your weekend
Christineandhercamera.blogspot.com
Hello, gorgeous post. The butterflies are lovely and you had wonderful sightings of the Treecreeper and Nuthatch. I think the bluebells are pretty, sad they not native. The tulips are beautiful. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your interesting images. Good description moments.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots, holly blues are about here now, hopefully I can get one sitting still for a change.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteHello Frank!:) Thank you for your visit. Your nature captures are all a treat to see. The tiny Holly Blue has not yet appeared here, but I am also seeing many Brimstones and Speckled Woods. Nicely spotted and photographed Nuthatch and Treecreeper, such difficult birds to capture. Lovely Tulip images, and the Spanish Bluebells are very pretty.:)
ReplyDeleteA great place Frank, love all the birds and the flowers. Thank you for sharing them with Today's Flowers, always appreciate the support :)
ReplyDeleteForgot to mention the Holly Blue and Brimstone butterflies, lovely captures.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the Holly Blue Frank.
ReplyDeleteBriefly observed one fly by the window today. Thats the sum total of my sightings of this species so far this year.{:))
beautiful blooms. love the creeper and nuthatch!
ReplyDeleteYou have Blue Tits nesting in your garden, I have Black-capped Chickadees in mine. We are both lucky fellows!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series of images .. good Sunday ..
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love the birds and the tulips.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo's here ...
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Beautiful pics of birds, butterflies and flowers. Love the nuthatch.
ReplyDeleteThat Holly Blue butterfly is amazing! I loved it! Loved the birds and flowers as well. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI would love to take a walk with you as you would be a great guide.... Glad you have some takers for your nesting box... Michelle
ReplyDeleteButterflies, birds and blooms, all beautiful!
ReplyDelete