Hello everyone
Well, the weather has warmed up recently, hasn’t it? It has brought the butterflies out on the wing! I have seen tortoiseshells, red admirals and the highlight – a lovely yellow brimstone – a sure sign of Spring.
Margaret and I visited my brother in Bromsgrove last week. Ian and I went for a walk
round Upton Warren, which is one of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s reserves. Sounds of Spring were to be heard everywhere, particularly the chiffchaffs. Their two-note calls (“chiff-chaff”) resonated throughout the woodland. These tiny birds have arrived in their thousands, from deepest Africa.
A major success story here is the arrival of avocets, 
which arrived a few years ago and now breed here. At first, the staff conducted a round-the-clock watch during their breeding season. Now, however, there are over ten pairs breeding here – right in the middle of England!
We have received a visit from a rarity in Payhembury. Jane Wood tells me she saw a firecrest in her garden. A beautiful tiny bird, closely related to the goldcrest. The only one I’ve 
ever seen was in Bulgaria!
We have lots of activity in our garden – the usual garden birds, but now in their breeding finery! Lovely goldfinches, chaffinches and the rest. The highlight is the daily visit from the great spotted woodpecker. We see him and hear him drumming on the nearby trees, to attract if he’s found one yet!
Alan Jones 01404 841671
