Emerging

It was well below freezing when I arrived at Thorpe Wood NR to do my second bird transect of the year, but despite the frost there was plenty of activity, including three drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, the first singing Blackcaps of the year and nesting Jackdaws. 

The spring flowers are looking good, with splendid displays of Primrose, Wood Anemone, Early Dog-violet and Sweet Violet, and many trees are now coming into leaf, including Hazel and the first of the Pedunculate Oak. By my next survey visit there should be Crab-apple, Midland Hawthorn and Wild Cherry blossom and a sea of Bluebells.