Cowslips 4 April A glorious day for Yewbarrow and Latterbarrow. Cowslips and primroses were abundant, with the first early purple orchids. There were orange-tip butterflies, brimstones and peacocks active in the morning sunshine. Tree-flowers were a delight. We looked down on WItherslack, with its damson trees white with blossom. Oak were bursting into leaf and I could see catkins high in the crown, too far off to show.
Oak bursting into leaf
Sunlight poured into this oak tree, illuminating its gold-green leaf buds that were newly opened. In the crown of the tree I could see oak catkins, too high to show in photographs. There were none on the lower branches.
I've twice seen a cuckoo in flight on Scout Scar, but it flew silently so I've yet to hear it. I thought we might have heard one on Yewbarrow as we walked on open fell-side and through woods glorious with spring flowers and butterflies.
Next day, I confirmed another linnet stronghold on Scout Scar- a place of juniper and gorse. I listened to their flight-calls, knowing I was hearing linnet but intent on seeing them to confirm the call. And three of them perched in a budding ash. Indifferent images, but you can see the forked tail. And in the central image the rosy blush on the male's breast is visible.
Next day, I confirmed another linnet stronghold on Scout Scar- a place of juniper and gorse. I listened to their flight-calls, knowing I was hearing linnet but intent on seeing them to confirm the call. And three of them perched in a budding ash. Indifferent images, but you can see the forked tail. And in the central image the rosy blush on the male's breast is visible.
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