Getting there at last

A beautiful day; completely clear blue sky, wall to wall sunshine, and the cold wind has gone. At last the spring migrants have begun to arrive and the flowers are coming out. The warm sunshine has brought some insects to life too; peacock and brimstone butterflies are in evidence, as well as lots of bumble bees.

I heard my first blackcap of the year on School Common this morning, and my first swallow of the area near The Hill. I counted at least six singing chiffchaffs across School Common and the main Common itself; including this obliging individual.

The section of the Common between Warren Road and the Beck is looking very colourful, partly thanks to a fine display of lesser celandines: