Noticing Nature Blog

Holly Blue A walk over to Goodnestone today in glorious sunshine and a gentle breeze. Lots of butterflies on the wing. Several each of Brimstone, Peacock and Green-veined Whites. A single Small Tortoiseshell, a male Orange-tip and 2 x Holly Blues.

Another selection of spring flowers from around Staple. Clockwise from top left: Common Field Speedwell, Green Alkanet, Forget-me-Not and White Dead-Nettle.

Flowers are blooming rapidly now. Here today, gone tomorrow as they say. The all important food source for newly emerged pollinators and rather attractive too. Clockwise from top left: Dandelions in Jack Foat's ground near Ash, a white form of Honesty along Mill Road near the Black Pig, Lesser Celandines on the track to Goodnestone and Red Dead Nettle on the roadside bank along Buckland Lane.

The old cherry orchard at Goodnestone is looking magnificent at the moment. Full of blossom. It has been preserved, with funding from a variety of sources, to remind us of what orchards used to look like before dwarfing rootstocks and sprays! It's a brilliant idea. Admittedly, a lot of the trees are busted, diseased and of course, unpruned. However, it is a win-win for wildlife and well worth a visit.

The Wood Anemones (Anemonoides nemorosa) were looking fantastic in the woodland areas surrounding the Serpentine Walk at Goodnestone Park today. Wood Anemones are a slow growing plant and good sized areas of them are an indicator of ancient woodland-a very valuable habitat. Wood Anemones

A monthly round-up of bird sightings in and around Staple. Water Rail (Library picture) Birds in March: Finally, a clear view of a Water Rail in the Great Pedding stream on 5th March. This is a rather secretive species spending much of its time skulking in the reeds at the side of the stream. There have been glimpses of suspected individuals but nothing positive until now. On the same day, a Raven flew over and 2 x Red Kites were checking out the area. 2 x Cormorants wer