Holly and Hawthorn blossom in early May

May began with changeable weather with slight frosts on some mornings. The Hawthorn blossom was appearing everywhere,  the presence of Blackthorn becoming less obvious as the last blossom was blown away. 

Often overlooked, Holly blossom flourished too, an important food plant for

 Holly Blue butterfly caterpillars. Holly is not overlooked by birds at this

time of the year as the plant harbours many tiny insects and spiders, mostly on 

the undersides of the leaves.

Unlike Holly, May blossom is spectacular and is prolific this spring:

Hawthorn branch weighed down with blossom on 10th May 2018.

It shows how well integrated the Hawthorn is with the other riverside and hedgerow plants here, such as Dog Rose, Blackthorn, Field Maple, Guelder Rose, Holly, Hazel, Elder, Honeysuckle and more.

Guelder Rose flowering, 10th May 2018, promising a good crop of berries for the winter.

A summary of the first few days of May:

4th - 11th May: Common Whitethroats were displaying and singing.

Goldfinches singing in thickets, Good numbers of Orange-tip butterflies both male and female over the bank nettles and brambles, with many other insects, small bees and Hoverflies.

Nesting nuthatches were quiet. Blackcaps were singing loudly, clearly visible in several areas along the banks. It was interesting to observe that one or two of the birds were singing whilst foraging for insects amongst the fresh new leaves - cutting their song phrases short when they found insects, then resuming their song until the next foraging interlude. Chiffchaffs were singing as usual, moving quickly along the willows. about seven adult long-tailed tits were foraging under the closing tree canopies, collecting food for calling young, whilst blackbirds, song thrushes, wrens and robins sang lower down in the trees and roots.

Three bullfinches were seen flying across to the river bank from a densely-leafed tree.

Hawthorn in blossom on the riverbank margin 10th May 2018