Walking in to the park on 1st of May I was immediately struck (actually and figuratively) by a low branch of May Blossom – such a strong distinctive aroma. At the lake the first Yellow Iris were coming out and by the end of the month they were in full bloom. The Daffodils along the back paths were replaced by thick stands of Cow Parsley.
There was an intricate nest in a tree overhanging the lake owned by a Moorhen! Never got to see the chicks.
Several times Mallard Ducklings appeared – sadly Crows and Herring Gulls are the main predators but a few make it through and the autumn clutches seem to do better.
May is when so many of the birds are singing either to find a mate or like the Robin and Blackbird claiming a territory at the end of the breeding season. The loudest of the songsters is the tiny Wren 😊 plenty in the woods and also plenty of Speckled Wood Butterfly whose spots are golden in full sun. Woodpeckers still drumming.
The Goslings are getting very big and strong but still being guarded by both parents especially first time dad Ernie who decided to sit in a high heron nest.
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Heron juveniles have mainly left the nests but the Little Egret chicks seem further in the tree canopy this year – but will soon appear.
Then the 6 Cygnets arrived 😊 such a long time that mum had been sitting and we had all waiting..
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Field Daisy and Buttercups in the Decoy inlet lawn where vandals had broken down fence on inlet bridge – quickly replaced by fencing to match the lake.
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Always something to look forward to in the changing seasons.