Chiffchaffs and Wood Anemone - it's Spring on the River

Yesterday, 24th March 2017, the riverbanks were echoing with the first chiffchaffs singing strongly amongst singing robins, singing great tits, calling chaffinches and the yaffles of two green woodpeckers. Blue tits were busy foraging amongst the fresh green leaves of Willows and Blackthorn blossom with two long-tailed tits collecting nest material. Blackbirds and a songthrush were seen foraging on the grass under hedgerows with singing wrens perched above them. In the background a steady chatter from house sparrows and song from goldfinches continued throughout the afternoon amongst dense thickets across the river.

It was a fine sunny afternoon after a dull morning with a cold NE wind persisting all day.

Wood Anemone flowers opening in the dappled sunlight -

one of the first signs of spring here.

This spring the Wood Anemone has been flowering well on

sunny days on the river bank at the foot of an old tree.

Lesser celandine is always the first plant to bring colour to the banks, and attract insects:

The first Lesser Celandine flowering close to the water's edge, its leaves just visible amongst young nettles and  Wild Garlic.

Probably the most important flowers  for wildlife at this time of the year - Blackthorn blossom:

branching over the base of the mixed hedgerow the Blackthorn blossom attracts insects and birds as one of the earliest sources of nectar and pollen.

This year already looks promising!