Pictures taken today in this set: 1. Starling in the garden. 2. A beautiful Comma butterfly beside the River Stour, it was so refreshing and feel good to see it. 3. The beautiful River Stour. 4. Ladybirds mating at Stanpit Marsh which it was interesting to see. 5. A Mute Swan on a nest at Stanpit Marsh which was an exciting spring sight. 6, 8, 9 and 10. Views at the beautiful Stanpit Marsh, a great habitat. 7. Some lovely garlic mustard beside the river Stour, a flower I have loved seeing out this week.
Other highlights by the river Stour were Nuthatch, Stock Dove, Kestrel, Great Tits, a great view of a Red Admiral, Brimstone, Orange Tip, a stunning and colourful sun fly on garlic mustard, white and red deadnettle including nicely together, cuckooflower another key flower this week, my first comfrey of the year a pretty flower, ground ivy and three-cornered leek. At Stanpit I enjoyed a variety of flora and fauna too including Stock Doves again I’ve had a brilliant weekend for seeing these birds I have a soft spot for and immersive sightings of splendid Sandwich Terns which I really liked. I also enjoyed Whimbrel for a second day running this a spot we’ve seen them before, Little Egret, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mediterranean and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a cheery group of Linnets flying, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock butterfly and ponies including with another key bird of the day Starling on one’s back at one point. My first wild garlic, fumitory and red campion seen this year there were delights, with primroses, marsh marigold, cow parsley, Alexander’s and stitchwort other floral highlights. It was special to see a Buzzard closely and a pair of Mandarin Ducks in the New Forest on the way home. Collared Dove, House Sparrow and Goldfinch were other highlights at home today. A fantastic wild weekend.
