The chiffchaff was in the same spot again, onomatopoeically repeatedly calling its name. This one was on the edge of the main cemetery but I found four more in the woodland burial ground. It is wonderful to hear them again after a long dreary winter, especially on a mild sunny day. Most chiffchaff around here leave us at the end of the summer, some flying as far as North Africa. Increasingly, though, with our warming climate, some choose to over winter, especially in Southern England and Europe. It's a gamble for them,however, balancing the ability to find food in the colder northern climate as opposed to the energy costs of a long, arduous migration flight. Those that remain are able to breed earlier, so passing on more of their genes to the next generation.
In the woodland burial ground I enjoyed watching and photographing a buff-tailed bumblebee feeding on pussy willow pollen. There was also a small flock of elusive bullfinches here and a larger one of chattering goldfinches.
I only saw two butterflies today, both small tortoiseshells.
No comments:
Post a Comment