1982 May

May 2^nd
Under a rotten log in Pump House Wood there were three black beetles. two Common Beetles, and a large black Violet Ground Beetle with a violet tinge on the edges of its back.

At the fish pond behind the Dye works I saw a small brown bird with buff breast and pink legs. It looked very much like a warbler. Most of all it looked like a faint-coloured Marsh Warbler but there seemed to be a faint green tinge to its back so it may have been a Willow Warbler.

May 3^rd
There has been a cold blustery wind all day with large white and grey clouds. Every so often the sun shone brightly through the clouds and then it would become dark and rain would lash down. On the lodge I saw a pair of Common Sandpipers - unfortunately not close to, as I rarely see these birds. They flew with thin wings and quick beats, so low over the water that the tips of their wings looked to touch it.

I got up at six o’clock this morning and went a walk at half past. I saw the sun rise, as a shiny orange glow. There was mist drifting off the waters. The bright sun on the water impaired my vision, but the Geese were starting to make a move on the island. It was so still and calm you could see the reflections of Lapwings in the water. The only sounds were the songs of birds, happy and anxious calls to greet the dawn.

The reeds were alive with Reed Buntings. I saw two males chasing each other. They sang from Reed tops, and flew in and out of the Elders. There was one Oyster Catcher with a beautifully striking black and white plumage, red bill and legs and pure white underside. It landed in Radcliffe’s field with a call not unlike a dog whistle. Lapwings and a flock of Starlings were grazing at the bottom of the Lane Field. The cows stirred up flies and kick up worms and grubs that attract the birds. Starlings often feed with cattle.

May 5^th
Yesterday I saw a white moth with grey bars, on its wings. It was small and very delicate. I found it in the wood by the bus terminus. There was an even smaller brown one on the pavement with tiny black and white spots on its wings.

The sky is blue today, with bands of grey clouds, so it goes overcast at times. At one time it was dark grey to the east with thunder rolling. It is hot but there is a gentle breeze. The temperature on our thermometer said 32°C, 86°F.

This morning I got up a six and by half past I went down to the reservoir to look at the birds. There were two Wagtails. One was a Pied Wagtail with a black back, perched on a fence post busily preening its feathers. The other was a White Wagtail, hopping along the road with a beak full of flies. I was surprised to see two different sorts together.

There was a group of seven geese swimming to the little island. One was much smaller but I thought it strange that there should only be one juvenile. I looked through my binoculars. The smallest goose had a white face, whereas the Canada Geese’s were black, its breast and tummy were white. On its back were dark grey feathers with white edged black bars. The Canada Goose has brown feathers on its back. They both share a black neck. The Barnacle Goose seemed quite at home with its big cousins. It is a pretty little goose and as soon as I saw its white cheek patch I knew it was a Barnacle Goose.

Before their nesting grounds were found in the Arctic, some people believed that these birds grew on trees. They also believed Barnacles seen on floating timber were the embryos of the birds, and so bird and crustacean share the same name.

May 9^th
The sunshine is so warm it is almost hot. In the Willows Den I saw my first mauve Violet. The Wood Anemones with their delicate green petticoat leaves, reddish stems, white petals and yellow anthers are flowering, along with the bright yellow Lesser Celandines. The sky was blue in the morning but this afternoon it has clouded over. Yesterday I was delighted to see my first Swallow skimming over the lodge.

In the field half way up the village, hundreds of golden yellow, Marsh Marigolds are flowering with their big, thick, green, fleshy leaves. The mauve Mayflowers are also in blossom. On the overgrown pavement I picked a yellow Dandelion with a double head. Unless you keep Dandelions outside when picked they shut up and never open again until a seed head has formed.

May 14^th
Today was as it has been for the last three days – blue hazy sky, warm nearly hot sunshine and a warm blustery wind. Yesterday I went round Tockholes – a lovely wood. The grey-trunked Beech trees had emerald-green leaves, with crimped veins and soft white hairs. Most of the other trees were in leaf; the Silver Birch is a bit behind. On the wood floor there were loads of sweet scented bell shaped Bluebells. I saw some Wood Sorrel with large white drooping flowers.

May 15^th
The sun has been very warm with blue sky. Flitting from one tree to another was a noisy Chiffchaff. It had nearly black legs a pale stripe above the eye, olive breast and brown wing feathers. Similar but not as colourful as the Willow Warbler.

May 17^th
It was warm today, but became cloudy in the evening. Last night it poured with rain. There was thunder and lightening. I went a lovely walk up Hill Sixty and round the back with Daddy.

This morning on the moss I heard a Chiffchaff and a Cuckoo. On Sunday I heard one Cuckoo at the bottom of the Village. I also heard a Cuckoo in Pipe Valley (hurrah!).

May 18^th
This morning it was really warm with sunshine and blue sky. By four o’clock the sky was grey and it poured down. I had not taken a coat to school and got soaked while running home. This morning the cock Reed Bunting was singing by the lodge again. I hope it finds a mate – that might shut it up. On a conifer in the plantation near the reservoir, a brown Reed Warbler with light eye strip, buff breast, dark legs and throaty song was singing. There seemed to be a small crest of raised feathers behind its head. I don’t think I’ve seen one of these birds on the farm before.

About a fortnight ago I found an enormous Hedgehog, dead, on the side of the pavement whilst coming back from Tockholes. Its body was the size of a football. I would like to see more live Hedgehogs around. A few days ago Daddy saw a female Mallard with nine ducklings cross the road. Daddy and another man had to rescue four which had fallen down a grid.

In the Back Field Valley, Golden Saxifrage is flowering. The flowers are quite insignificant, yellow. On the well in the back garden, white Wood Sorrel flowers are out. When I went to Tockholes I picked some pretty umbrella-shaped tiny lace-white flowers of the Hemlock. Today I picked a large bunch from by the side of Bromley Cross railway. The leaves have cut edges and are feathery.

May 22^nd
The sky is blue with enormous grey and white clouds. The sun is shinning but the wind is cold. Yesterday I saw a male Blackbird singing in the plantation. I haven’t seen one for ages. There was also a male Chaffinch, who I often see around there, singing from the top of a small Oak with light green leaves on it. I went a long tiring walk round Tockholes. On the way back I found some Crosswort, with furry leaves and tiny yellow flowers. I have never seen any before.

May 24^th
My first exam today: Human Geography. It was hard. Most of the day the sky has been grey with several showers of rain. On the side of the grass pavement, before the broken gate, I found a dead male leveret. It was a lovely little creature with dark streaked brown fur tiny rounded ears, small claws and feet, a pink nose and large brown eyes. I’ve never seen one before. I wish it were alive. I buried it under some grass by the wall.

Swimming on the reservoir was a pair of Canada Geese, with four large yellow goslings who were bigger than ducks! I never realised they stayed yellow so long. When they waddled down to the water with their stubby wings held outwards they looked really cute.

There was another pair who I think were younger than the first. They had six young goslings. The parents kept bobbing their heads up and down to look out for danger. One swam in front of the young and one behind, or else they swam at either side of the line of goslings. All the goslings seemed to be eating grass on the island with their parents. Luckily for them the island is cut off by water. (Foxes!)

Last weekend I saw my first House Martins this year. Today there were loads darting about over the lodge. I also saw, loads of dark brown Swifts flying with them – the first I’ve seen on the farm this year. Some Swifts raced the coach along the road. There always seems to be a profusion of Swifts, Martins and Swallows when the sky is overcast. Perhaps the humid conditions, often present with grey skies, bring out the insects.

May 29^th
It is probably the most beautiful day this year. The Yellow Pimpernel is flowering in the back garden. The sunshine is very warm, with a warm breeze, blue sky and only a few clouds. I sunbathed with only a T-shirt and summer skirt on - no socks! Me and Joan went paddling in the lodge, (up to my thighs); I would have swum but my back has been bad.

I saw several similar beetles with jagged feelers. One was light brown sort of tan coloured, the other a purple-mauve colour. On my beetle poster they looked most like Corymbites pectinicornis. This evening it was Kelly’s party. Great. I’m so glad she had the last dance with William (Good old Willie!).

Just lately I have seen several flies with three pronged tails and black bodies and delicate slender wings. I think they must be Mayflies, though I’ve not really noticed them on the farm before. By the side of the lodge were a couple of Caddis flies with thick brown folded wings and long feelers. I think these flies are rather creepy.

May 30^th
It has been another lovely day with blue sky, warm sunshine a few clouds and a warm blustery wind. It was not as warm as yesterday. In the Willows Den pale yellow Globe flowers are flowering with the Wood Anemones. In the Hay Meadow I can see the leaves of the Yellow Rattle. In Pump House Wood, the deep-pink and pale-pink Rhododendrons are flowering, and the purple ones are in bud. In my tadpole bowl the Water Crowfoot has small white flowers on it.

May 31^st
In the afternoon the sky became overcast and a shower of rain with large raindrops fell. I dug up some Montia sibirica [Pink Purslane] in My Place, where the white-starry-faced flowers of the Greater Stitchwort can also be seen. From next door I dug up some Lesser Periwinkles, but have not decided where to plant them.

Coming home, through Radcliffe’s field I saw one of my favourite butterflies, a Red Admiral, the first I’ve seen this year. It had a crimson edge round its brown body with white speckled, black wing tips.