Autumn is truly upon us, disturbed a pipistrelle bat and a wren sharing sanctuary in the church porch

The lavender is heavy with bees. The bumble bees seem to be the first to rise in the morning, followed soon by the honey bees and finally any number of different butterflies.

Went swimming with newts. The lazy warm water was thick with living things. A single hawker made eye contact as he patrolled his territory.

Swallows chatter in conversation on the telegraph wires.

We have ducklings on our pond. Three dainty, speckled, fluffy chicks dabbling amongst the yellow flags.

Our Summer Solstice treat - watching the nightjars displaying at sunset over the heathland.

Stopped in our tracks by a large signal crayfish, standing his ground in the middle of the ford - pincers raised high, ready to take on any opponent!

Found a dead swan on the foreshore. So sad to see its solitary mate swimming alone in the shallows.

Cuckoo flowers mingle in the dark rushes like delicate lace.

The woodland air is heavy with the scent of bluebells.

The ponds are full again and brimming with tadpoles.

The apple trees have burst into beautiful pink blossom, attracting a good number of bullfinches to their tasty branches.

The ponds are in crisis through lack of rain.
Found a froglet sheltering in the path of the labyrinth where the grass is still moist.

What a treat! Two tiny goldcrests busy searching for food in the low hedge. Their crests flashing in the sunlight, completely oblivious to my presence.

Saw my first swallow skimming over the mirror-still waters at Andrew's Mare.

Caught the distant call of a cuckoo whilst walking the coastal path to Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.

Two red kites float overhead, moving ever closer to the New Forest.

We were surprised by two carefree stoats gambling together on the track.

A hare lolloped towards us, lazy in the Spring sunshine

The May has burst out in clouds along the hedgerows and is filled with butterflies.

The churchyard path is a pretty patchwork of early Spring flowers, a surprisingly rich palette.

Primroses abound.

Two wood pigeons sat perfectly still in the old bare apple tree, plumped up like pale pin cushions. A welcome douse of Spring rain, bird song has risen to a new crescendo.

23.3.15

Rooks are noisy and unsettled high up in the bare trees of School's Copse

Spotted woodpeckers are hammering hard as the Spring temperatures rise.

21.3.15
Spied a flock of goldfinches from the corner of my eye feeding in the climbing roses.
Many rooks keeping the ewes company as they await lambing.