Last April walk

My last walk in April was, somewhat seasonal, in that I was caught in not one, but two April showers. The second producing a superb double rainbow, seen from fields near Winding Hill looking east. Marvellous sight as depicted in attached photos. Bird wise, a good species count. 2 Tawny owls called from south of the farm, whilst a Little owl sat on wires opposite the entrance to Ash Valley G.C. Common whitethroat, chiffchaffs and blackcaps called frequently, not more so just south of the club house, from dense scrub. Yellowhammers rasped from the hedgerow as did a couple of linnets. The resident grey heron headed south at 7.30pm whilst a solitary moorhen clacked from the free flowing River Ash behind Lordship Farm. A single swallow was recorded over the 18th hole. Here, I disturbed a female kestrel and more bedraggled yellowhammers made themselves known. The walk finished with good views of a splendid male pheasant and 2 red legged partridges in fields just south of the Ford. 32 species in all on an evening of variable light quality. Also of note, 2 broods of just hatched mallard ducklings floated along the Ash, accompanied by their mothers. In total I counted 13 offspring. Unfortunately, this number will rapidly decrease through predation and loss of contact with a parent bird. Rats, foxes, mink etc will help decimate the number. Photo below shows the superb carpet of bluebells found under trees south of the village. The second photo was taken from near the golf club house looking south west, with more showers threatening.