Spring in unusual times

As the viral pandemic shuts the country down, we are grateful for the countryside. We are still permitted to exercise, walk our dogs, do the gardening and allotments, so we continue to have access to the woods and fields of Newnham at this lovely time of year. No aeroplane noise, few cars, no tourists or students, no school runs or rush hour, the place is suddenly quiet and the community unusually aware of each other. 

In Paradise, the Chiffchaffs arrived promptly on March 17^th. Recently this has become the norm – it is 4 days earlier than in previous times. Blackbirds and Song Thrush have become loud and insistent.  Wrens and Robins shout from every bush. Herons honk and hiss and soon there will be the bill-clacking of youngsters in the nest. Bumble Bees buzz their way from flower to flower, hopefully pollinating as they go. A small number of Jackdaws remain, but most have disappeared, along with the Rooks who have left the winter roost for their rookery.

Another new appearance, the Pipistrelle bats have emerged from hibernation and at 6pm today were hawking up and down through the trees.  Not too many flies or moths yet, but increasing numbers as the week warms up. Frog spawn seems abundant this year and the Newts are back to their ponds.  I recently saw my first Red Kite over Newnham and also had a wonderful eye-level close-up of a Barn Owl over Skaters’ Meadow.  There is time to stop and stare.