Proof that Spring is Sprung!

Walking the Sandstone Trail on Bickerton Hill this week has been enhanced by the displays of bluebells. This picture was taken just before the Trail exits the National Trust woodland to cross pasture land towards Long Lane and on to the Shropshire Union Canal and Grindley Brook. It is a shame that the scent of the flowers cannot be transferred by just clicking on the photo.

Unfortunately, the cuckoo in the second picture was not seen today, but was heard nearer Duckington, further increasing the pleasure of the walk. It has been heard on various parts of Bickerton Hill this week, mainly around the Maiden Castle area, and sighted flying over the lowland heath. The RSPB defines the cuckoo as a dove-sized bird with blue grey upper parts, head and chest with dark barred white under parts. With their sleek body, long tail and pointed wings they are not unlike kestrels or sparrowhawks. Adults arrive in late March or April from Africa and depart in July or August, with young birds leaving a month or so later. Sexes are similar and the young are brown. They are summer visitors and well-known brood parasites, the females laying their eggs in the nests of other birds, especially meadow pipits, dunnocks and reed warblers. Their recent population decline makes this a Red List species and should make us realise how lucky we are to have access to our local countryside.