May has arrived with gloriously warm sunshine, blue skies and lots of new growth and birdsong. We're still in lockdown, and as people still can't visit friends or family or do any but essential shopping the woods are quite busy with dog walkers, families playing in the stream and around the Pixie Bridge, and joggers and walkers getting their daily exercise.
Because of this most of my visits are early morning or late evening, which is no hardship really, that's when the woods are at their best.
I've tracked a small circle in the woods so that anyone that doesn't know the area can see roughly the area I concentrate on, although I do venture a bit outside this circle to take in the streams as well.
My first visit in May and as I crossed the river at the entrance to the woods I was greeted with this fabulous heron.
And this beautiful robin singing his heart out
The trees have definitely thickened out now and are looking fabulous in their spring colours.
And for the first time in these woods I've stumbled across a patch of Marsh Violets
And the tormentil is plentiful now and covering the ground just above the trees a bit higher up above the woods
With lots more leaves on the trees now it's not so easy to spot the birds, but this fabulous siskin stood out against the blue sky, and his song was really bright and cheerful
The Green-veined White butterfly has definitely been the most prolific butterfly of the spring so far, and also the easiest to photograph. For some reason they tend to keep stiller than the others I've seen flying around.
One advantage of being in the woods at sunrise and sunset is the beautiful light coming through the trees. The Welcome To Our Woods campsite looks fabulous bathed in early evening light.
I was delighted to catch this Nuthatch on one of my early visits, the first time I've seen one here.
There are still plenty of violets to be found under the trees.
And the Herb Robert is out in abundance now too.
And there are plenty of new trees springing up, including Ash, Willow, Sycamore, Alder, beech and birch. It's fantastic to see so many new broad leafed saplings beginning to thrive here.
Although I try to get out while it's relatively quiet there are still a few people around, especially dog walkers. And who can blame them? It's a terrific place for some gentle exercise.
Lots of cuckoo flowers around this year too, They always look so pretty and delicate.
It's great to see this Path of Hope that children ( and quite possibly adults 😀 ) are leaving in the woods. I always look forward to seeing what new additions are there on each visit.
There's plenty of horsetail plants springing up now too.
And quite a few wild strawberry plants too, but no fruit when I past last time, let's hope there'll be some there next time I pass
The hawthorn blossom is still looking gorgeous.
And the Cottoneasters have got lots of berries starting to appear now.
Lots of Speedwell still about
And lots of buttercups and daisies, with plenty of marsh marigold moths feeding on the buttercups.
There have been quite a few little Mother Shipton moths around the last few days. Small but gorgeous.
Even though we haven't had any rain to speak of for weeks there are still a few muddy patches where the sun doesn't often penetrate for long.
One of my very favourite spring flowers, it's always a joy to see the vetch 😊
And lots of red clover starting to appear, still mainly the leaves, but a few flowers starting to appear.
And it looks lovely mingling with this patch of trefoil.
Another gorgeous spring flower, the Wood Avens, these are a great source of nectar, and caterpillars love them too, so I'll keep my eyes peeled next time I'm up there and see what's about.
Lots of willow in these woods,they're starting to look a bit scruffy in places now, but still quite beautiful.
There's quite a boggy area at the top of the woods, where the wood avons grow, and there are lots of beautiful big ferns growing in the mud.
And lots of common spikerush too
I love the way the trees bend under the weight of the new growth to form canopies, a perfect way to hide from the sun later in the day. Even though it's still only May the sun is getting quite unseasonably warm by mid day.
The hawthorn blossom is still beautiful
And the Beech trees are definitely coming in to their own in Spring.
Walking along the woodland paths the bird song is just amazing in the mornings
click HERE to see (and here) my video of the dawn chorus
These rocks are a perfect place to see birds early in the morning, they love to come down and look for grubs here
There's lots of silverweed springing up now too, looking lovely as it catches the early morning light
And it's great to see the flowers coming out on this beautiful Elder
The tree canopies are beautiful now, whatever tree you happen to be looking up through.
It looks as if this year will see lots of Himalayan Balsam again there won't be any flowers for a while yet but the leaves are all shooting up already. Although bees love it it can be a nuisance and smother other native plants.
Beautiful morning light coming through the trees.
A perfect spot to sit and listen to the stream and birdsong
This is another great spot for watching birds, this is on the edge of the ancient woodland, and the spot where the Greater Spotted Woodpecker can sometimes be seen flying around. And this month, for the first time ever, I saw a squirrel here.
I spent a few minutes here to see what birds would come down to feed. It was time well spent.
A blackbird was the first visitor
Followed by a robin
And then a Blue Tit
And then it became apparent why, when her chick appeared waiting to be fed.
This little Dunnock was back and fore for a while too looking for grubs.
But the highlight of the morning was definitely watching mummy robin feeding her chick
So after another glorious month in the woods, and a glorious early morning visit, it's back across the railway line and home for breakfast.
