Back from the Fens

Lambing in full swing at Sherborne

Early peacock in the sun

What is this and where is the plug

Weather sunny but fresh in Norfolk for my brief visit to pick up my new car and on the return journey I enjoyed a relaxing visit to Welney wetland centre where Marsh Harriers, lapwings, Avocets and Oyster catchers were amongst the birds on view. Missed seeing the hares who like the birds were breeding early this season.

As I also missed my normal Sherborne duties this week couldn't resist a visit to the Sherborne water meadows this Saturday and with the warmest weather of 2014 wasn't disappointed with the wildlife on show. Got off to a good start from Northfields car park with 3 red kites play fighting in the sky above the Broadwater with a buzzard looking down on them with interest. Couldn't mistake that spring is well underway as I took 'Sabrina way' down to the water meadows and witnessed lots of healthy young lambs in the upper pastures. Nearing Century wood five more Red Kite were flying in and around Picardy. Decided to take a right and head over to the Birches via the Gravel pits and discovered some freshly installed Solar panelled water pumps. Ground still soaked but navigable and the Sherborne brook running full hence the 'vortex' of water above. Although the 'lake' in the pasture by the brook and Birch copse had almost disappeared there were plenty of gulls along with a few lapwings. Disturbed a magnificent male stag with impressive antlers in Birch copse on my way to the bridge to allow me access to the river windrush. On a pleasant walk alongside the windrush was accompanied by brimstones, peacocks and tortoise shells plus plenty of bees! Again managed to disturb a couple of snipe,  spotted a reed bunting and then a tree creeper.  Was hoping to spot a hare or two as I wandered towards the 'hyde' area but was content with spotting a heron, a pair of canada geese and cormorants, 2 more buzzards, and a watchful sparrowhawk perched in one of the mature oaks.

Surprised that not more people were out on such a fine day but suits me and although not a rare sight it was good to see a number of chaffinches on show on my return back to Northfields. It was all about the lambs today though, how can you not be lifted by their presence.

Aristocrats, a Blue and Poison?

My first Blue, at Crickley hill

Comma, not a typing error

Peacock, they have finally appeared

All this good weather has been great for butterflies and apart from Fritillaries I have seen many, consisting  of several species! So throughout my regular haunts, covering Crickley Hill, Leckhampton Hill and Sherborne estate, my finds include: Skippers {large &small}, Red admiral, Tortoiseshell, Painted lady, Peacock {late arrival}, Marble White, Gate Keeper, Meadow Brown, Whites {large and small}, Brimstone, Ringlets, Chalkhill Blue and managed to photograph all of them! Not so good over this warm spell has been the re-appearance of Ragwort  , liked by insects, but poisonous to animals.  I have to wonder whether people have forgotten about the nature of this plant especially where livestock/horses have access to it since I don't see much effort [any] to remove it and before it 'seeds'. See this NT Press item for good butterfly locations.

Interesting today at Sherborne, with the temperature at a lowly 21 degrees and  some 'wet' stuff not seen for a while.  The morning was spent at Lodge Park 'forking' up hay previously cut down by Mike with one of my favourite tools. This was interrupted late morning by a call regarding delivery of large pipes and 'accessories' to be used in a large Water Management project on the Sherborne water courses. Our help was needed in unloading the large lorry at the Northfields Barns, ready for use by contractors next Monday. Some heavy work here requiring Mike's tractor and during the heaviest rain shower of the day! All in a good cause since  the river Windrush in the water meadows will have new gravel added to its water beds {good for fish} and new water cachment for livestock created, all good for the water environments and wildlife in general.

The afternoon was again spent up at Lodge Park completing the hay clearance before embarking on Ragwort removal. This work moved in to the actual Parkland which was occupied by a large herd of cattle. Not usually an exciting task but made, in this instance, a lot more interesting by the great variety of butterflies and insects we came across as we first pulled the Ragwort out by its roots before depositing in plastic bags for careful disposal. A worthwhile day out again and sets me up for what I hope is the decisive Ashes test match tomorrow at Old Trafford.