We are so thrilled to be having regular hedgehog visits to our suburban garden once again. We guess it is the same hedgie who comes most evenings. A couple of nights ago, its visit coincided with loud screeches from the Tawny in the wood.
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| It seems the hedgehog is finding some good-sized snails ... |
The photo below shows one of the other visitors ...
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... Above: close-up of the mouse.
And below: not on the trailcam, but who could resist this Robin?
The weather forecast indicated that the Felixstowe area might be in for a sunny afternoon, so we headed off to Landguard to see what was about on the beach and in the adjoining nature reserve. We were delighted to see Wheatears on the clipped turf; David counted eight at one point.
There were a few rabbits, grazing away in the spring warmth. We encountered the remains of an Easter Bunny trail (see 'Daffodil' below) in the nature reserve, with rabbit information boards for those taking part in the hunt.
We came home and put up the garden table for the first time this year, and sat among the tulips, sipping our mugs of tea and listening to the sound of birdsong.
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| Pictures: David Gill |
This is the first time I have seen a Sparrowhawk in the grass. We have occasional visits, but the bird usually perches on a fence or branch and sometimes simply swoops across the garden.
I suspect Chris Packham would be pleased to host such a bird ... but with our regular company of Long-tailed tits, Blackcaps (two male, one female), Blue tits, Great tits, Wren (just the one), Dunnocks and Robins, I am not sure what I think about having a bird of prey so close to our fatball feeders and patio door. Does anyone know if this is unusual behaviour for this species of raptor?
Not the best photograph of a Peacock butterfly, but what a surprise after the last few days of grey skies and chilly temperatures! This afternoon we saw:
We were not expecting Newbourne Springs to produce such riches in a couple of hours, if that; but how wonderful, at last, to feel that the insect seasons are underway.
The photos below are a bit of a mixed bag, but I hope they give an impression of the seasonal sights we enjoyed.
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| Wild Arum |
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| We watched this bee climb into the undergrowth |
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| Wonderful blossom |
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| Butterbur |
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| Seasonal first: Peacock butterfly |
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| Lesser Celandine |
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| Seasonal First: Comma butterfly |
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| 7-spot Ladybird (this top one outside our house) |
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| Robin |
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| Two more 7-spots |
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| I love the feathery reflection! |
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| Another Comma |
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| And another 7-spot ... |
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| ... perhaps laying an egg? |
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| Bee fly, one of two seen this afternoon |
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| Peacock |
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| Primroses above the stream |
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| Primroses |
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| Hard to resist a ripple over the sandy stream bed |
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| ?Greater Stitchwort |
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| close-up |
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| Wild strawberry flowers |
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| The stream at Newbourne Springs |
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| Back to the house, where our spring bulbs are adding a splash of colour. |