Jevington Plantation

Twayblade

Wood Anenome 

The return of warmth and glorious sunshine. The wood was a magical place with birdsong: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Blackcap, Chiffchaff,  Wren, Jay, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Buzzard and Nuthatch. 

Four Jays at once was a surprise, plus a hoarse sounding Buzzard repeatedly calling from a hidden perch.

The flowering Elms made identification easy, and I am now certain of four different trees after spotting a new one today.

Long Down

 After a decidedly grey and chilly morning, with the woodland flowers refusing to open, the afternoon became much better.

Lambs, huge groups of corvids, Kestrel, Linnet, Skylark, Stonechat and Corn Bunting. Also, a lovely Red-tailed Bumblebee queen.

Hobbs Eares

 Great Forget-me-not. Very chilly afternoon.

Wildflower Lawn, Hill Road

 #16 Bluebell. Wild species, white form.

Wood Avens, Jevington Plantation

 

Wilmington

11th or 12th-century carving, possibly depicting a Madonna and Child, from Wilmington Church.

1600 year old Yew Tree, Wilmington Churchyard 

Primroses, Wilmington

The Long Man

 

Hill Road, Jevington Plantation, Willingdon Hill and Foxholes Brow

Speedwell, Hill Road

Alexanders, in full flower

Dandelion seed head

Foxholes Brow, looking east

Enormous Dandelions!

Glorious Gorse

Golden Dung Fly, on Alexanders

Crosier of Hart's-Tongue Fern

Sour Cherry

Kings of the day! Dandelions!

Norway Maple flowers

Celandines have had a fantastic Spring.

Cherry blossom 

Celandine. A flower from the 'double pach

Flowering Elm
 

Castle Hill LNR, Newhaven

Lovely visit to this reserve. The promised Woodchat Shrike delivered. Also seen were Linnet, Stonechat, Rock Pipit, Kestrel and Raven. Also growing was Sea Kale.

Woodchat Shrike. Lifer!

This marvellous beast of a Raven was nearly as good.
 

Hill Road

First butterfly walk around the White Path produced Brimstone, Peacock, Whites, Speckled Wood and Orange Tip.

Celandine

Alexanders

Glorious Blackthorn 
 

Borough Green

 My first Bluebell. At least a month earlier than hey used to be. Also flowering were Green Lkanet, Yellow Archangel and Red Campion.

Jevington Plantation

 Marvellous Spring sunshine

The Wood Anenome are struggling with the Ash die-back. The increased light on the woodland floor is favouring Bramble and other scrubby growth. Hopefully this is a temporary setback, and in future years they will recover, once a new canopy is established. 

New Horse Chestnut leaves

Cherry blossom 

Drone Fly, Hill Road

 Feeding in Pear blossom 

Adders, Shooters Bottom

The annual search for Adders is a real privilege. Cold, sunny mornings are the best. The male (top) was quite skittish, and was one of two seen. The darker snake, a female, was more languid. At first it seemed that the best we would get was this newly slouched female skin, but for once, persistence paid off.