Nature Notes – June 2020

Storm Arthur has brought spring to an abrupt end, wrecking blossom trees and gardens and scorching Mary & Rory Clarke’s apple tree!  On a brighter note, Audrey & Gordon McQuillen have had a song thrush nest in their garden and have watched the fledglings being fed snails and slugs.

This is the height of the breeding season and there are numerous young blackbirds, starlings and blue tits trying to avoid cats and a pair of resident sparrow hawks.  A handful of swallows and four swifts have made it back to the village, also a hobby, a rare summer visitor, has  been spotted. You will have enjoyed the bird song this spring, which unfortunately will tail off soon. July will bring more daylight, warmer evenings and bats!