Bat at Batsford !

It has been an amazing blue sky afternoon out exploring Batsford. There were drifts of spring flowers, crocus, daffodils and snowdrops and beautiful blossom. While walking along the stream at the base of the hill a strange bird caught my eye. It turned out to be a bat which was flying up and down the stream bed. It was about 12.30 and was unusual. There were plenty of birds flying too, chaffinches, bullfinch,, blue tits, robins, blackbirds and noisy pheasants were in large numbers and busy. I noticed a magpie carrying a very large twig flying off to build a nest.

The sky was a brilliant blue and the trees looked fantastic silhouetted against it.

There is a large collection of magnolia trees at Batsford and the buds are growing and filling out now. They are often hairy or downy. Some of the buds look black .

The flowers were beautiful especially in the sun. A short tour of them for you below.

As all the new growth is bursting forth and everything is sprouting and greening there is still interest from last year. This perfect leaf skeleton was laying on top of some leaf litter. It almost sparkles in the sun.

After recent weather the water full was thundering, impossible to pass without a splash.

I couldn’t resist a sit on a bank of daffodils , they smelt lovely. I noticed what I thought was a bee diving in the golden trumpets but it was a hover fly. It ventured deeper and deeper into the flower .

I often stop for a walk at Batsford often on my own and I love it. There is always something new to see and discover , today a stream flying bat! The magnolias won’t be long until they put on an amazing show so a revisit will be in order.