The eyes have it....

Another busy day!! After dropping Alex in Huntingdon, I went off to survey Wistow Wood - which is fortunately much smaller than Brampton Wood... This little gem is one of a set of five small, ancient woodlands located on the rolling clay hills at the very edge of the fens whch are managed as Nature Reserves by the local Wildlife Trust..

The wood looked glorious in the hazy morning sunlight, with the first fresh green leaves of the Midland hawthorns sparkling over the green woodland carpet, which was studded with primroses, violets, wood anemones and the first of the bluebells.
The edge of the wood also proved interesting, with a sizeable woodbank lined with foaming white blackthorn blossoms. These bushes are important for the rare black hairstreak butterfly which emerges in June, but today the blooms were providing a veritable banquet for the many peacock butterflies patrolling the margin, not to mention bumble-bees, ladybirds and bee-flies. As well as the blackthorn there were stands of spindle and wild privet, and several notable trees, including an ancient pollard oak and what appears to be a large wild pear, a great rarity in the area.

I think peacock butterflies are one of the most stunning insects in the UK. Flitting between nectar-rich flowers of gardens and parks all summer long, come winter they seem to disappear. In fact they just fold up their wings and blend into a hollow tree or wooden shed, emerging in spring to lay eggs on nettle plants. The four stunning eyespots on the wing, resembling the tail feather pattern of the peacock, are there to frighten away or divert predators. Male peacock butterflies will defend a territory in summer, harassing any females that happen to pass through.

I arrived home just in time for coffee and then I went out again to walk the dogs along the river. I saw the first wild cherry blossom of the year, growing on a south-facing bank, which was studded with the starry yellow-flowers of lesser celandine. The belted Galloway cattle were clearly feeling the heat, and were standing in the river, giving a very timeless feel to the scene.

After a quick lunch and a session of psychology with Ben, the two of us went off to do a Geology Trail round Swaddywell Pit. We were planning to visit a local tea room afterwards, but after trekking quickly up the hill to get there before it closed at 4pm, we arrived at 3.45pm only to be told that they'd decided to close early today because of lack of custom. We were sorely disappointed, and ended up going to the local Sainsbury's cafe instead, which was surprisingly nice. Ben had a freshly made mango and banana smoothie and I had a refreshing peppermint and licorice tea - and we wickedly shared a slice of Victoria sandwich!

Alex has now broken up for Easter and we celebrated by having a barbecue tea, making the most of the warm evenings before the weather breaks!