No Cow Parsley

After the winter, one of the sights I look forward to are the April lanes festooned at the roadside with frothy, creamy and gorgeous Cow Parsley.

So far it is not there.
There are Dandelions and Jack-by-the-Hedge, but the Cow Parsley is not open.

It may be too late.

This is what I think happened.

The very cold start to spring, held back the Cow Parsley from developing and flowering as it does in April.
Then the cutters were out last week mowing the roadsides and they cut the Cow Parsley off before it got going.

There are a few stragglers, but I think it has gone.

We are too late now for the glorious spectacle.

The whole point of winter is to set us up for the Cow Parsley show!

I feel robbed and disappointed.

Help!

Scream!

Shout!

Cuckoo and Swift

Yesterday I heard my first Cuckoo.
It was the bank holiday, so hopefully some child was not having a prank, but as far as I know it was real.
Then, very high up, there was a Swift. My first sighting this year.  It is so exciting, as I love the noise they make and love to watch them fly, like little aeroplanes with Rolls Royce engines!

Summer

Yesterday felt like the first day of summer and today was also sunny and mildish.

A Spotted Woodpecker was banging away high up in an Ash tree. I saw him as I approached. What a booming din he made. Such a noise for a tiny fellow. It was a wonderful sight and sound.

I saw him yesterday and today I heard him from my garden. He is not far away, just behind the church.

As I left the allotment at 4.15pm today, a Kestrel flew overhead, over my car as I turned into the lane.
There is always a Kestrel patrolling along Mill Lane, and there he was; low flying and saw me just in time!

Garden and country

At home in the garden this morning at about eight o'clock, there was a little brown thing singing in the tree top. I think it was a Robin. There were three others and a few Sparrows.
Then some Jackdaws appeared, looking over the fence for seed, the lady next for must have been about.
Down at the allotment, early about eight thirty, there were some Red Kite and singers.
It was cold down there out in the country, but sunny and I got plenty of digging done.
It always helps to have singing when digging:)

Springlike

It was springlike today, though winter isn't over yet.
Cold easterly winds are predicted for later this week.
It was lovely!
Lots of little choristers around in the hedgerow trees, Sparrows, Wrens, and other LBJs, I was not certain I could identify with confidence.
One enormous Red Kite and lots of my favourites-Rooks, were about too.
Rooks are my favourites, or at least one of my favourites, I have so many.

A Fanfare of Fieldfares

Three o'clock today at the allotment.  A beautiful vista of country delights.
I was welcomed by a fanfare of Fieldfares chattering in the Hawthorn trees.
Another Kestrel, as yesterday, too busy to notice me.
I noticed him and enjoyed him, he was quite close.

Rough weather walk

Wet and windy, north westerly wind I believe.
Skylarks and Blue Tits singing.
I crept up on a Kestrel, he didn't hear me coming due to the wind direction.

Then a Blackbird, who thought it was later than it was, sang beautifully!

My allotment needs so much attention.
Got to start in earnest tomorrow and be at it all week.