Rain at last

It is almost a month since we had any significant rain, so today’s steady and hopefully penetrating rain is most welcome. Paradise is a wonderful walk for those of us lucky enough to get there, in these days of pandemic lockdown.  The trees are now mostly dressed in new leaves – birds must be located by sound rather than sight.  This morning, nothing unusual singing, but the Song Thrush is still proclaiming territory in the middle of the wood and Wrens and Chiffchaff are everywhere. The Swans are nesting the other side of the river, but not sitting on eggs yet. A Mallard Duck was sheltering her 4 ducklings on the bank, but as I approached slid off into the water, with the Drake in close attendance. Both mother and ducklings are well camouflaged on land, but I wonder if her blue flash is a signal to the young to follow.

It seems the White Geese have abandoned the Triangle altogether, but I recently saw 6 survivors further down, on Coe Fen.  This small flock, originally more than 20, has been in Newnham for many years. Latterly they have had a difficult time, with no goslings for the last three years. First, there was a very late frosty spring, then a heat wave, this year an attack (by a fox?) that killed at least one. Already inbred, it seems unlikely they can build up numbers again. 

Along the back, before the boardwalk, is a Horse Chestnut tree. If you look closely at the flowers, you will see that some are cream or yellow, while others have a red blotch. This develops after pollination, indicating to an insect that this flower had already given up its pollen and they should visit elsewhere. (If you are home-teaching, you might like to visit https://www.saps.org.uk/primary/teaching-resources/304-exploring-horse-chestnut-flowers.) Near this tree is a Wych Elm, whose seeds can be seen on the ground as well as on the tree – flat pale green/yellow discs.

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The new hedge along the fence at the back is looking good.  Simon, one of the Conservation Volunteers who helped plant the hedge, came back this week to clear the nettles, for which many thanks.

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I have been doing the same for the verge at Skaters’ Meadow and hope the rain will now encourage the wildflower seed we sowed a month ago.

As soon as it warms up again, keep an eye open for Butterflies, Dragonflies and Damselflies. The Large Red Damselfly is already emerging – a most spectacular and beautiful sight. The one on the left was photographed in a Trumpington garden a few days ago and the mating pair in the Sanctuary Reserve, off Adams Rd. They should soon be with us in Paradise.

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Olwen Williams    28^th April 2020 olwenw@gmail.com