Long long spring

Yet another storm! although it is a while ago now.    But we used  to call these events ' just a  bad spell of weather' now we have name them all.  We knew this one was coming because all the gulls moved inland  into nearby fields the day before. The gulls are much more reliable than any weather forcast.   Despite the torrential rain and heavy winds the blackbird nobely continued to sing through it all as if he relished it all.

Noticebly the rape seed flowers  folded up during the rain so the fields were less colourful. Once the sun came back they reblazed with vibrant yellows and greens.

Cowslips

Native Bluebells in ancient woodland

May blossom has  now replaced the buckthorn in the hedgerows heralding  an amazing show of wild flowers and tree blossom, this season. After last year's dreadful weather we are having a wild flower extravaganza along the verges and woodlands far  more vigorous than for several years. Bluebell and cowslips standing straight and tall in vistas of pale yellow and blue.

Cuckoo Flower favourite of Orange Tip butterfly

Whilst sitting under our lilac tree lamenting the loss  of our baby blue tits, (watched the adults empty the nest of bodies)  probably the result of  the recent cold weather,  I was surrounded by a charm of chinckling goldfinches young and old who had it made successfully through.  The feeders are staying full as everyone seems to have moved on with  their young to greener pastures for the summer.
Blue tits are not ones for having second broods like blackbirds so they will call it quits for this season.

On a much planned visit to Sefton Park where many twitchers hangout photographing obliging kingfishers. (Of course they were not there) Despite the torrential rain I was delighted by the many recently hatched birds taking their first tentative steps into the big pond of life.

Coot nest building

The trees have all finished flowering and are rapidly producing nuts and clusters
of seeds. The spring season for  trees once started moves quickly so as to give them time to replenish their energy before closing down for the winter months.

Currently I am fortunate to be  involved in a H1 Habitat Survey for the first time. Although physically demanding it has been a wonderfull learning curve in observing spring up close and personal in   areas of the Wirral countryside that is mostly closed off to the public,  hence the climbing of many 6 bar gates. I must add this is no mean feat for someone of my age. ( I did have to call a halt after the 7th scramble.)   It certainly provided much entertainment to the fields full of bored sheep and cattle.

More to follow on this next time........................