A walk today, with my son and the dog. The air, at around 17°C, was mild despite a light, persistent rain. Or perhaps because of it – a beautiful fragrance filled the air, a complex perfume of early summer. The Broom (Cytisus scoparius) still offers some flowers, though small green seed pods now hang from its branches, a quiet signal of the advancing season. More prominent now is the Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), in full, glorious bloom, its sweet scent drifting on the damp air. Adding to this chorus were flowering Dog Rose (Rosa canina) and Black Elder (Sambucus nigra), various grasses, Ground Elder (Aegopodium podagraria), the distinct aroma of wet earth, and a multitude of meadow flowers.
Insect activity remains surprisingly low. A brief spell of heat last Saturday, reaching 27°C, was evidently not enough to stir them fully. A few moths visited the light last night, but today’s most notable sighting was a Pine-tree Lappet (Dendrolimus pini) resting quietly on our entrance door. A striking find. Otherwise, the air was largely empty of buzzing wings.
The birds, however, have returned with early morning hunger. After a stormy night, both feeders and feeding boards were emptied by familiar visitors—sparrows, tits, greenfinches, great spotted woodpeckers, and haw finches.
It seems the truly cold days are behind us, though cooler temperatures and more rain are forecast. I had thought to reduce the bird feeding, but given the weather, I think I will wait a little longer.
