In between
the ‘April showers’, we have experienced some lovely sunshine.
This has
encouraged butterflies to put on a show; Speckled Wood, Wall, and Holly Blue,
as well as many Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell have made an appearance.
Birdsong has
been crazy as well as the flitting-to-and-fro with nesting material. Great and
Blue Tits have dominated birdsong in the village, as well as Goldfinches and
Blackbirds. A Willow Warbler has been very vocal at Bindon allotments; this
species have undergone a moderate decline in the south in recent decades making
them an Amber Status bird.
Floristically,
many Common Dog Violets can be seen on grassland slopes; identified by their
‘white bottoms’ or ‘Spurs’ behind the petals. Bird’s-foot-trefoil is starting
to flower, particularly on the south-side. Often overlooked, because they are
so common, are Daisies. They are putting on a good show on the top of Bindon
near the Army Range Hereford are assisting the Exmoor ponies with meeting the grazing requirements.
On grassy
banks in and around the village, Red Campion, Herb Robert, Cow Parsley and
Greater Stitchwort are flowering.
We have chosen Red Campion for the flower of the month, its bright
rose-pink petals on a fairly tall stalk rise above many of the other flowers in
the hedgerow. We get four months to see this ancient woodland indicator in
flower.
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