Its trying.

 Spring that is. Spring keeps trying, but ultimately failing. The other day the news hollered on about 25 degrees somewhere or other while on the North Northumberland coast we achieved the sweltering heights of 12.5 ⁰ . Still between cooler cloudy times there have been bright pleasant sunny windows of opportunity too.  I forgot to add that I have my annual heavy cold this week, but Peggy needs walked so I have been around the village too in the sunny spells.

Some spring migrants are back now with Swallows, Sand Martins, Willow Warblers in village wood. On 10th  Blackcaps arrived in numbers. We were pleased to see 4 or 5 of them eating the few remaining Ivy berries opposite our kitchen window .

The kitchen window Ivy over the stone wall.

Various Blackcaps, with a minimum of 3 females and a male on Saturday, poss 2 males on Sunday.

On 8th April, the moth trap had a migrant influx. Unfortunately no Small Mottled Willows that have inundated the country this week but a big count ( for here) of 92 Diamond backed Moths. Pine Beauty and Muslin Moth also added to the interest that night too while a Hedgehog has been around the garden for a few nights too.

On one sunny interlude, a few butterflies were out, Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells, Commas and a Green veined White. Still awaiting Orange Tip and wondering how Holly Blue will fare this season?

Comma.