Babies everywhere

Walking round the Commons yesterday I was struck by the numbers of recently fledged birds, particularly in the woods of School Common. Both the nest boxes that I knew had blue tit families in residence were now unoccupied so far as I could tell, but there were the begging calls of their former residents all over the wood.

I also found fledgeling long tailed tits, blackcaps and chiffchaffs, so I think it's fair to say it has been a successful breeding season already, despite the lack of rain.That lack of rain may well have an impact on the breeding success of swallows and house martins however, since they need mud to build their nests.

I always think the main common looks its absolute best at exactly this time of year, and although there was no sun, the section we cut every year was nonetheless a picture. The fresh growth of reeds contrasts vividly with the darker greens of older vegetation, and the fluffy cotton grass heads set it all off beautifully. Add to that the subtle purples and pinks of orchids and ragged robin, and you have a very pretty picture indeed. Not one my photographic skills would have been up to I fear, even if I had bothered to take my camera in such dull weather.

Glorious spring

I know we desperately need rain, but this has to be one of the best springs I can remember. This morning was glorious: warm, but fresh, with a perfect blue sky. Had a wonderful walk across the common, clocking up 30 bird species as well as a few butterflies and plants. At least two of our nestboxes in School Common are occupied by blue tits, but I hope several more boxes are also being used.

The flag irises are now in flower at Scouts' Pond, and although the water level has dropped a lot it looks good nonetheless. The picture doesn't do it justice.

After that, across the boardwalk I found not one but three reed warblers. There is rarely a more futile exercise than peering through reeds trying to find these birds, but I was anyway, when there was some fluttering on two appeared, one chasing the other. A bit of a territorial dispute I fancy. I had earlier had a reasonable view of a singing reed bunting. It was too far off for a good picture, but I see that my effort caught him in mid shout.

I see the orchids, ragged robin and cotton grass are all in flower, making a lovely show.

As for the butterflies, I found a speckled wood in Warren Woods, still several orange tips, and now there are also lots of green veined whites about.

Evening delights

Had a quick belt across the common this evening, in the late and cold bright sunshine. I'd gone for the encouraging reason that the box of wildlife survey forms needed topping up, and decided to take a quick look at what might be about at the same time.

I was not disappointed. Willow warbler and chiffchaff singing, alongside a song thrush. Then I heard my first sedge warbler of the season, in area C (the section cut last winter). There was also a reed bunting singing from somewhere in there.

And then, just as I was turning back from the Warren Road end, I got this good view of a muntjac. Not bad for a 15 minute walk!

Hares and wheatears (but not on the Common)

Maundy Thursday, very warm, slightly hazy. Having seen a couple of hares on Sunday when I didn't have my camera, I took myself  for a walk round the footpaths off Sandy Lane in the hope of getting a photo or two. I was initially disappointed, although I did find a brimstone butterfly for the survey, near the old graveyard.

But then, walking down Sandy Lane back towards the village I noticed a couple of birds on the brown earth of the field on the southern side. Closer inspection revealed they were wheatears - very good. A bit too far off for a decent photo, but here's what I got anyway.

Then I noticed a hare in the field which is planted with a cereal crop on the other side of the road. Having seen one, I realised there were two, and then I counted five! Four were chasing each other: not quite mad March hares, but clearly being aggressive. The fifth, which I imagine was a female watching proceedings, stayed some way off. Again, they were not close enough to get a particularly good picture, but this is the best of the ones I took.

The wildlife survey is taking off now, with a good few reports coming in. I saw my first speckled wood butterfly of the year in St. James's churchyard, so that's another one on the list. We've now had at least one report of everything we're looking at, except swifts. So who can see the first of those this year?

Song time

Had a lovely walk across the boardwalk this evening, enjoying the vast amount of bird song on offer. It started with a willow warbler, one of my favourite singers and not one we hear enough of in our neck of the woods. Soon after that I could hear chiffchaffs and blackcaps, and in the distance a song thrush.

As it happened, my route took me towards that thrush, and I eventually found myself standing beneath the tree it was singing from the top of. It was a truly virtuoso performance, and for all the wonderful songs of our visiting warblers, this bird is definitely one to treasure. It was accompanied by a blackbird and a blackcap, but that thrushwas undoubtedly the star of that particular show.

Silently, but it made my heart sing, glancing up I saw a female sparrowhawk fly across the common.

Not bad for a 40 minute stint!

Visitors arriving in droves

What a beautiful day! There have been others recently of course, but viewing them through an office window takes the shine off them. Today however was perfect: warm, but still fresh; a perfect, cobalt-blue sky; and lots of newly arrived birds to find without being too obscured by foliage.

On my walk round I heard 4 chiffchaffs sunging lustily, and was able to photograph this one at Scouts' Pond.

I was hopeful of also getting a picture of a blackcap: I heard 4 of those too, but none would stay in one place in clear view long enough. Never mind; next time perhaps.

At the junction of Chapel Road and Lower Street I found my first swallow of the year. As that is one of the species in our survey, that's another one off and running. Come on the rest of you, let's have your sightings! I can't believe I'm the only one seeing these things, especially since I'm only able to look at the weekends.So far we have 5 records of brimstone butterflies, and now this solitary swallow. There are also orange tip butterflies about, but they're not in the survey - perhaps we'll include them next year.

The orchid and cotton grass section of the common has some nice marsh marigolds growing in it: I found these less elusive to photograph than the warblers!

Chiffchaffs here

Taking my ears for a walk this morning, I was pleased to hear my first Chiffchaff of the year as far as the Common is concerned. I knew they were around, and had heard a couple at UEA during the week, but it's always great to get the spring migrants list for the Common under way. Now all we need are the rest!