Signs of Spring

Saturday, March 29th 2014

Although damp, Eco Club managed to walk around the reserve without getting wet. Signs of Spring were the order of the day and our list included Primrose, Chiffchaff and Robin singing, leaves of Bird Cherry and Hazel just breaking bud, toads and spawn.

Strings of toadspawn were seen in the pond. Unusually it was laid next to frogspawn.

Toad and frogspawn

The plan for Eco Club was written on a warm sunny day so included looking for and finding sunbathing butterflies. The plan was changed! We set the moth trap and were rewarded with moths. Hebrew Character, shown below, and Grey Shoulder Knot both made their first appearance of the year.

Hebrew Character

On Wednesday there was a surprise in the moth trap, a female Great Diving Beetle. When released she was very active, making taking a photograph difficult.

Great Diving Beetle female

Heavy rain overnight had again left water droplets on the vegetation. Honeysuckle has been showing its green leaves for several weeks. They catch the raindrops beautifully.

Honeysuckle buds with raindrops

The reserve is just beginning to put on 'her' spring coat and turn green rather than the black of tree branches and the yellow of dead grass. Grey furry male flowers of the willow are just beginning to show their bright yellow stamens. They will make an excellent food source for early insects once the temperature rises a little.

Male flowers of willow

As yet not many flowers to add to the new green growth, so no apologies for another photograph of Blackthorn.

Blackthorn flowers

Thank you to everyone who helped with Eco Club today.

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Monday 18th March 2024 |

The reserve is now open, although again with limited access.

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