06/06/2026
Spotted: Hockley Heath Thomas, Hockley Heath
Today it is May 1 st and we have been enjoying some beautiful sunny
weather but there is still quite a chill in the air out of the sunshine.
Everywhere is suddenly quite dry and I’ve heard a few murmurings that we
could do with some rain, not that we should be hearing this after another wet
winter. Total rainfall for April 2026 was 27ml compared with 28ml last year.
The fact is the earth does look quite hard and cracked in places and I
suppose it depends on what you are doing as to what your requirements are.
I can think of one person having just started the first cut of silage who will not
be wanting rain just yet but then perhaps the maize seeds would like a good
shower. Oh, we are never satisfied!
Everywhere is looking so attractive in this lovely sunny weather, that
“good to be alive” feeling. The oaks are starting to come into leaf and the
apple blossom is out and the tulips have lasted well. The grass verges are
well covered in bluebells and the wood across Umberslade are well carpeted
with blue. I haven’t heard the cuckoo yet and I understand that there are no
Swallows at the Obelisk this year. Usually them come as just one or two and
leave as a crowd at the end of summer. I marvel at how they turn up each
year at the same spot and reclaim their nests. When we lived at the Obelisk it
was always House Martins that came and there were hundreds of them. They
are different in their nesting habits. The Swallows make their nests inside
buildings attached to the ledges whereas the House Martins build under the
eaves on the outside of buildings. We were always annoyed because the
House Sparrows used to take over the House Martins’ nests during their
absence and stuff them with their house building materials which was mainly
hay, whereas the Swallows and House Martins use mud and saliva. Now this
year, I have been quite chuffed as I have House Sparrows using a little
Sparrow terrace I put up a few years ago on my garage. As far as I know this
is the first time they have used this along with another bird box on the house
wall. I’ve had Hedge Sparrows for some years now and they are regular
visitors for food I put on the ground each morning but I think these nest in the
bushes. Also as part of this little group are a couple of Robins and a pair of
Chaffinches and then the Blackbirds which arrive to clean everything up. I
have seen these crafty little Robins with food in their bills but they are very
careful not to be seen taking it to a nest.
To complete my Spring scene when I was driving to the shop
yesterday, I had to pull up just before the Scotch House as, across the road,
came a Deer and I had to sit and wait while, not just one, but in all, five went
in front of me in single file from Umberslade towards Lapworth.
The May blossom is starting to come out. Now we are told “don’t cast
a clout ‘til May is out” I’m never sure whether this is the month of May or the
May blossom. Not to worry because it will be June by the time you get to read
this, so it’ll be quite safe!!
