Love April Nature Notes

Well it's still a tad cold but the leaves are daring to come into view. They are celebrating Hanami in Japan. It's Cherry Blossom time in my garden, one of the two trees I planted in pots two years ago has been flowering for a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile there is a lot of action with the birds flitting backwards and forwards, nest building and building a relationship. Our resident 'love birds' love the old Pine to roost, snuggle and pass the time of day (its also where the bird feeders hang) but they are now building their nest in the Hawthorne.

I always have a camera close by as I photograph the birds through the window for my garden diary, I use a long lens this means I'm not disturbing them, they are spooked at the slightest movement. On reflection they may be aware there is a Sparrowhawk around.

Sky News has just flashed up on my iPhone that another storm is on the way so nature is going to take another battering at the most crucial time of year. Looks like the Yellow Weather Warnings are for up North so here's hoping we have a sunny rain-free Easter.

Blue skies and sunshine today though, the Bees are buzzing, seen a Sparrow collecting bits for the nest and the Doves have just had a moment.

👀👀👀

North Devon Focus. Watching the changing seasons throughout the year, looking out and photographing events, nature, wildlife and places while walking on the North Devon coast and in the countryside. 
All photos/articles copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)

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Spirit Lifting. Blackthorn Blossom & Wood Anemone

Well the weather has not been kind lately, a freezing strong wind yesterday has 'burnt' the newly emerging leaves in the garden, so I've been looking back in my photo archives to sunnier, warmer Spring days. I photographed this beautiful Spring star on this day in 2018. It was the first Wood Anemone flowering in an ancient woodland on a wildflower walk at Hartland Abbey. I focussed on the petals and pretty yellow stamens and I love the bokeh effect in the background.

Behind the scenes, the spirit lifting Blackthorn blossom is appearing now, the photo below was taken in March 2014. No finer sight than Blackthorn flowering in an ancient Devon hedgerow. It's dotted along field margins and you see it in the hedgerows, green lanes, either side of major and minor roads. Unlike Hawthorne it flowers before the leaves. It also appears as white speckles on coastal cliffsides and in ancient woodland. The black fruit (Sloe berries) are used traditionally to make Sloe Gin. It certainly lifts the spirit 😊

Wood Anemone. Photo © Pat Adams North Devon Focus 

Blackthorn Blossom. Photo © Pat Adams North Devon Focus 

Focus Nature Notes: 

Back then I used the following equipment (both great little cameras at the time, easy, no fuss and light perfect for walking or travelling)

Blackthorn - NIKON 1 V1

Wood Anemone - Canon EOS M5

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"The Wood anemone is named after the Greek wind god, Anemos, who sent his namesakes, the anemones, in early spring to herald his coming. This legend gives the flower its other common name of 'Windflower'. " (Woodlandtrust.org)

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North Devon Focus. Watching the changing seasons throughout the year, looking out and photographing events, nature, wildlife and places while walking on the North Devon coast and in the countryside. 
All photos/articles copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)

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Heads up. Spring has sprung in my Bee friendly garden

 Spring has sprung in my #beefriendly garden today.

Featured:

• Hellebore 
• Three Cornered Leek (I didnt plant those 😳 and they have spread) - apparently all parts are edible but....)
• Lesser Celandine
• Dandelion
• Primrose (Cowslip)
• Euphorbia (Wood Spurge)
• Comfrey

Now all we need are the bees and butterflies

North Devon Focus. Watching the changing seasons throughout the year, looking out and photographing events, nature, wildlife and places while walking on the North Devon coast and in the countryside. 
All photos/articles copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)

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Birds of a feather Class of 24….all change for this years fledgings

One of the benefits of living in the countryside and having a wildlife friendly garden is that, even on rainy days, I can follow the daily habits, progress and transitions of the birds through my window throughout the year. I have captured their first tentative outing after leaving the nest. watched the squabbling as they become more confident juveniles. Watching without disturbing their routines I can capture the subtle changes in their feathers as they transition into adulthood.

I spotted the first fledgling Blackbird on May 23rd.  Pictured below are just some of the transitions of the Blackbirds and those highly aggressive Starlings.

The kinds of  birds you attract to feeding stations depends entirely on the type of birdfood you put out. The birds that visit my garden all year round are Blue Tits, Blackbirds, Chaffinch, Sparrows, Robin, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Coal Tit Collared Doves, Wood Pigeons and a very illusive Wren with an annual return in the Spring of Siskin, Jay and Woodpecker. I have seen one Greenfinch on the feeder this year.

👀👀👀

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Farewell May Daze.

I think May might be my favourite month and this year the rain and sun has produced some floral spectacles.
 

The Bluebells were early, the Mayflowers were late and the Ramsons were fantastic this year, I have included some of the wild flowers found on the North Devon coast and countryside, from ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows and rocky coast. 

Not seen too many butterflies, sparse number of Orange Tips and a few Speckled Wood. 

Relax and enjoy the peace….see if you can identify the wildflowers in this video

 

Pat Adams' North Devon Focus. My North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle

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North Devon Focus. Spring and the Bubble of Life

Well its been a mizzly, wet start to the year and so it continues. Although I love a misty astmospheric shot ..enough is enough.

I'm so looking forward to Spring sunshine, such a wonderful time of year on the North Devon coast.

In my garden the Hellebores are first to make an appearance. The Daffodils and Primroses beginning to bloom and the long shoots of the Bluebells and Tulips rising. A bonus of not weeding, the side garden is full of Lesser Celanadine which will add a little mellow yellow to the mix. The first flowering Marsh Marigold has emerged in the pond.

Amazingly the Hedgehogs have been visiting the feeding station all through the Winter bar just one week. We have three, I think and the push and pushy behaviour has started all seen on the Trail cam.

Birds still visiting and beginning to chirp, the marauding Starlings seem to have moved on but I spotted the arrival of the Siskins last week, the Woodpecker yesterday so do hope they are nesting nearby. The Lilac and Pussy Willow trees are in bud and by the look of the new Cherry Trees and Magnolia the blossom will be pretty spectacular. Most of all I look forward to the Dawn Chorus, return of the House Martins, Swallows and Swifts, the real start of Spring.

Out the window I have seen and photgraphed some spectacular skies, sunsets, cloud formations and rainbow light, at one time the field was covered in Rooks. Migrating birds are constant visitors to the field throughout the year, a reminder that the rotation of cattle and sheep grazing are vitally important to the ecosystem.

At the end of January ITV NEWS reported how "Harmattan winds would sprinkle a covering of Saharan dust across the UK" and I captured that amazing sky. (Scroll down for photo)

The wind and rain has been non-stop, I've lost count of the number of named storms but looking forward to getting out and about in the sunlight on the coast and in the countryside. Love where you live💚

 

Ecosystem. "An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life."

 

Another flaming sky. According to the news this sky was influenced by Saharan dust.

👀👀👀

Pat Adams' North Devon Focus. My North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle

Facebook 😊 - Flickr

Instagram - Youtube

Explore the Coast and' Country' side of  Bideford Bay and Beyond 

>North Devon Focus Website