Real Science..Real surprises.

 Spring seems to have slowed down a little. There has been a cold air stream from the north which is keeping the temperatures low. I have had very few moths and butterfly sightings are also low. Thankfully flowers are making steady progress and I was delighted to see my first bluebell in mid-April

Later on that survey of the Park I also noticed Ramsons in a place not noticed before. It has become one of the flavourings of a few of the delights offered in Cuerden View Cafe

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We are also noting some of the summer bird migrants around. Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap have been anouncing their arrival to all and sundry. One bird that has been heard, that has not been on Cuerden for several years is called Grasshopper Warbler. It sounds of course just like that insect. Lots of people have heard it, just not me. 😒

April is also the time when newts move back to ponds to breed. This is the best time for surveying to confirm whether or not we till have them on Cuerden Valley Park. The method we now use is an eDNA check. Several samples of the water in the pond are collected and put in a small tube containing ethanol. This is then taken to a nearby forensic laboratory for testing and we wait a few days for the result

           

There is always the unexpected. I attended a function ot the University of Central Lancashire celebrating volunteering, representing the Lancashire Badger Group. The unexpected was that I was declared the Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award. After the event one of the Professors said to me " I want to do what you do when I retire"

 

Then when I went home I checked the post and was even more amazed to see I had an invitation to a Royal Garden Party at Buckhingham Palace. It means I will have to get a new suit. To avoid having to decide which of my two daughters would be my guest, I asked my grand-daughter to accompany me.

I will let you know how I get on.

Spring has sprung

 In my previous posting I said I may go away for a short time. This however did not materialise due to my straining my back clearing up after our house improvements. I was able to get out a litte. Lots of spring flowers coming into bloom such as Greater Stitchwort, Garlic Mustard (pictured) lots more Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage and Moschatel.

                                                             

Next day I went to the trail camera to change the batteries and check what, if anything had been photographed. On the way I noted this deer slot. It is from a roe deer.

 

When I checked the SD card later I was thrilled to see our hedgehogs have started to return regularly to our feeders. We do get some woodmice, lots of magpies and the roe deer themselves.

 

That night I put the moth trap out again and while I was out I used my bat detyector to see if tey had also returned. As you may see from the next photo, the answer is YES.

These are Noctule Bats, our largest and earliest to emerge, often before sunset,

The following  morning I had caught more Hebrew Character moths plus Twin Spotted Quaker and Small Quaker

                       

My Back is starting to ease now so I hope to get out and discover more of how Spring is progressing.