Today I added White Dead Nettle, and Mistletoe (in flower - I've never seen the flowers before today - not that there's much to see!), and a big yellow umbellifer that I'm probably going to need another look at but which might be Alexanders. Also another Speedwell, this time Green Field Speedwell. Masses of wild onion about (locally called crow garlic), but it isn't in flower.
One of the reasons I stop counting every species at the end of March is that I start to reach my limit of what I can reliably identify. There was a yellow crucifer in a field yesterday that I simply haven't a clue about. Might be Rape, might not. Beats me.
I should also add a brown lacewing and a wood ant, both of which I saw a week or so ago, and forgot about.
Not a spring sign, but I saw masses of Scarlet Elf Cup fungus today, and loads of Marsh Marigolds. I also got excited about hearing some Cetti's warblers, thinking they were very early migrants, until a birder colleague told me they were resident. I heard three of them. Also saw some teal, which is odd because they should have flown off to Russia for the summer breeding season by now. About three pairs look to be staying here.Saw a pair of Egrets too.
I've spent most of the day at Magor Marsh nature reserve near Newport, hence the above. First evening of the year for a kids wildlife group, and it was great to see so many enthusiastic and knowledgeable youngsters, plus some older teens who have come back as young leaders. Very rewarding day.
Muddypaws, your area is ahead of me. Bluebells not yet close, and the elder is nowhere near flowering - its barely in leaf.
