Beverley Westwood and Burton Bushes in April

A cold, sunny start of the day. I put an extra layer on and took the bus to Beverley. I head towards the Westwood, keen not to miss the Wood Anemone's show, which I've been told is soon to be over. As I reach the Westwood, I can hear Skylarks and Linnets singing.

Skylark.

Bluebells.

The impact of the fence (keeping cattle out) on the density of Bluebells is striking.

A very nice patch of Greater Stitchwort.

The entrance to the central ride of Burton Bushes.

An ancient oak near Burton Bushes.

A fallen trunk got wedged on another tree and suspended over the path.

I get to a lovely glade with a large carpet of Dog's Mercury (above and top shot). I linger in that area for a while, as it is a hotspot of woodland birds. Nuthatches are calling, a Jay screeches and then does a hawk-like call for a while. A Goldcrest is singing over my head. A Great Spotted Woodpecker is feeding on a tree nearby. Even a Tree-creeper joins the party. A Speckled Wood flutters around, and finally settles. A Blue Tit arrives with feathers on its bill and enters a crack in the trunk of a large oak.

Speckled Wood.

Singing Goldcrest.

Robin.

Treecreeper.

Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Nuthatch.

After a while, I leave the glade. I'm a bit disorientated after moving back and forth. So far, I've met nobody in the woods, but soon I meet a few dog walkers on the main paths.

Wood Anemones.

I still find a few fresh Wood Anemones, including these very pink ones.

Pink Wood Anemones.

Time to leave the Burton Bushes. Here they are, looking back.

Flowering Cuckoo's Pint, Arum maculatum.

A peek into the Cuckoo's Pint flower. The hair-like projections stopping flies from leaving the cavity containing the male and female are visible. Flies are attracted to the flowers' carrion smell and pollinate the plant.

Jackdaw at the Minster.

Blackbird carrying food.

I check the towers but I don't see the Peregrines. I find a couple of old legs of birds and some Barn Owl pellets, which I will dissect and report back here.