Bluebells at Brankley Pastures

Today we managed to get out for a lovely afternoons walk around Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Reserve Brankley Pastures.

We followed the path through the reserve which took us through some arable land, a bluebell wood, wood pastures with veteran oak trees some around 500 years old, and new woodland plantations.

A much quieter option to the awful bird scarers that keep going off  near our home!!!

and just a few dandelions in the plantations

There were a few butterflies flitting around but very few were landing, orange tips, one speckled wood and two peacocks

and many bees and hoverflies

Mountain pansies at Thorswood

My first ever visit to this pretty Staffordshire Wildlife Trust reserve and I'm smitten!
Thorswood  has iron age barrows and remains of mining activity, so the reserve is dotted with mounds and hollows,

 it also has amazing views even on an overcast day like today

and at this time of year there are mountain pansies

and other spring flowers including cowslips,

wood anemone,

wood sorrel,

 violet,

and primroses

I will have to return again in the summer to see the orchids

We also watched a pair of raven on their nest

and caught a glimpse of a hare - next time maybe we will see more than a glimpse

This is what I have been waiting for - Little owl , butterflies and sunshine

Last night we attended a talk by Simon King in celebration of the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust taking over the management of the Roaches - we heard tales of some of amazing wildlife experiences, some incredibly scary ones and some highly amusing ones and all totally inspiring.




As a result on my dog walk this morning under clear blue skies I found myself chirruping all the way up and back down the lane, I am not sure what language I was chirruping in but the long tailed tits kept me company all the way, flitting about in the blackthorn  which is now in full flower and looking stunning.



As well as the long tailed tits I also saw three species of butterfly
comma,

peacock,

and small tortoiseshell

and so many birds including chaffinch, blue tit, great tit, robin, dunnock, 4 buzzards soaring overhead, a green woodpecker and........ drum roll please - the little owl is back

happy days!!!!