May Day!

Good morning lords and ladies it is the first of May,

We hope you'll view our garland it is so bright and gay,
For it is the first of May, oh it is the first of May,
Remember lords and ladies it is the first of May.

A lovely morning on the first of May, spent walking around Grove and Stodmarsh to the constant sound of birdsong - warblers, turtle doves, cuckoos and nightingales.

Wood sandpipers showed well on the watermeadows, and 14 greenshanks were scattered by a swooping peregrine. Common terns brightened up the main lake, and at least six marsh harriers cruised around, but the stars of the day were the hobbies taking dragonflies from the wind, up to nine in view at a time although some reported 20 or so.

A superb morning, and overall a credit to the warden and his helpers in maintaining such a variety of habitats.

A quick trip to East Blean Wood suggested that it's still too early for heath fritillaries, but this broad bodied chaser was some consolation; back in Kingsdown the first small blue of the year was seen braving the cool breeze.

And now you've seen our garland we must be on our way,
So remember lords and ladies it is the first of May,
For it is the first of May, oh it is the first of May,
Remember lords and ladies it is the first of May.