17/04/21

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Very sunny, though still with a cool wind. Despite the wet winter the ground is now dry underfoot due to the absence of rain this month. 

On downland cowslips are now in bloom, while in wooded areas the wood anemone are in full flower.

Good evidence this morning that Adders have sloughed, with two cast skins being found in TF. A few metres from one of the skins a male Adder was found, now looking very smart albeit fairly well hidden amongst vegetation. The only other adult was found in PV, seemingly yet to slough.

It was encouraging to find juvenile Adders today, two in PV and another two in TF, probably all born last summer. One of those in PV was laying up next to a Slow-worm, the other juvenile there being less than a metre away. Similarly, both juveniles in TF were together, under tin in this case.

Five Slow-worms were found in total, one in PV, three in DV, and one in TF. Probably all males.

The piping call from Bullfinch continues to be heard from bushes along the top of TF, though the birds remain elusive, no doubt breeding in the area.

Despite the sunshine very little sign of butterfly activity during the visit, with just the odd Peacock.

Cowslips

Wood Anemone

Cast skin of Adder



Recently sloughed male Adder



Juvenile Adder and Slow-worm

Male Slow-worm

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