Hot days.....

           June in the wood was a hot experience. With temperatures well above normal and little breeze to move the leaves it felt very uncomfortable, even in the shade. The strong sunlight has brought many plants into flower earlier than usual, so it was a very pleasant surprise to find both Common Spotted and Pyramid Orchids blooming along the side of the main woodland track. Both are determined to grow where the soil is really poor and are unpredictable in that they can show up anywhere and not always in the same place in different years. The Bracken has liked the conditions too. Much of Crow Wood gets covered in it and this year is no exception. It grows to head height in many places under the pines and although it creates a wonderful green world, it is a bit of a nuisance as it shades out all other plants. Every year I do my bit scything it down in different areas and repeated attacks like this do eventually weaken it but it is a very persistent plant indeed and of little value ecologically speaking.

         Another great surprise was finding a new nest being built on the side of our cabin in exactly the same spot where a pair of Blackbirds had earlier raised a family. Careful watching from a hidden vantage point (Bracken is really good for this !) I was delighted to see that the nest was being built by a Spotted Flycatcher. This little brown bird is quite a rarity these days, sadly. It is one of my absolute favourite birds and most years Crow Wood sees one or two appear at the end of May, having migrated here from West Africa. They do nest successfully somewhere in the bigger wood and in 2008 a pair built a nest in precisely the same place on the cabin. Back then the nest was abandoned shortly afterwards and the same thing has happened this year. The species is known to make several nests before choosing one to raise a family in.  Although sad not to be able to follow their nesting it is a slight relief as the nest was placed right beside the door and we would have had to stop using the cabin so as not to disturb them. Perhaps the pair realised it was a poor choice of site. I really hope they do find a good spot !

Common Spotted Orchids

The Pyramid Orchid

The nest builder.

One of the pair of Spotted Flycatchers

They are dapper little birds........