The Great Unfurling

Bracken is a mixed blessing in a wood. It provides cover for animals and invertebrates and makes the wood look green and full of life but as it grows taller and denser it shades out any smaller and less robust plants, so overall it has a negative impact on biodiversity. It's at its best when the new shoots first break through the soil and start to unfurl. We have several other fern species in Crow Wood, so there is a fair amount of unfurling going on just now even though the lack of rain has left the ground unseasonably dry. April has been a rainless and cold month altogether and it has delayed the onset of many flower species and, I suspect, also slowed down birds' nesting. Species like Blue Tits and Great Tits rely heavily on the caterpillars of oaks trees especially as food for their chicks and without the leaves being out the caterpillars will not be there either. The cold overnight temperatures we have been suffering are unhelpful too, but nature has a way of getting through and the imperative to breed is strong.

It looks as if a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers have adopted a dead pine tree as a nest site in the wood. I walked past it last week and heard a faint tapping inside for the first time and after I had moved on a little distance, rather noisily,  the male popped his head out to see what was going on. Like many birds woodpeckers usually make several potential nests so I will have to wait and see if this one is the chosen one. I have yet to check on the Tawny Owl box further into the area of pines. My remote camera suggests that they have nested there again but I have kept well away as much as possible as Tawnies on eggs readily desert a nest when they are disturbed and I have not wanted to frighten the adults in these cold conditions, knowing the eggs would chill very quickly. I am planning on looking this week as the eggs should have hatched and the chicks now gaining feathers and weight rapidly. If the pair have raised a family there again I will be very pleased indeed after all the efforts I put into keeping those wretched Squirrels from taking over the box back in the winter.

Crow Wood will soon be at its best with all the Bluebells out carpeting areas under the Chestnut trees. As I write there is still ten days or so to go before they are all out but for now the first few are through and there to be enjoyed. The opening flowers are prompting various invertebrates to get busy. One of the first insects on the wing and pollinating is the curious Bee Fly; very much an early Spring flier as is the aptly named Orange Tip butterfly. The next few weeks will see a flood of activity in our wood. A bit of much needed rain will help move things along - my fingers are crossed.

The mouse-like Bee Fly visiting a Primrose flower

The Great Spotted Woodpecker staking a claim

First Bluebells

The first shoots of Bracken

A male Orange-tip butterfly shortly after emerging

The great Spring unfurling........