Word of the day: “Eisvogel” - German for kingfisher, literally
“ice-bird”; in Russian Зимородок, lit. “winter-born”. Names possibly
given because kingfishers appear in new territories when their
established fishing grounds freeze in winter.
Robert Macfarlane

Cherry blossom over, daffs turning. Hawthorn bud-burst.

Horse chestnuts, swallows, blackthorn (sloe).

Wild garlic, dog violets, sycamore bud-burst. A cuckoo calling.

Ribwort plantain, common bugle, bird's foot trefoil.

Nettles, yellow archangel. Rabbits.

Arum (cuckoo pint, lords and ladies, bobbin joan) - spadix first formation. Ash trees in flower.

Ground ivy, purslane. Beeches in full leaf. Hornbeams first flower.

Celandine, cuckoo flower, meadow buttercup.

Avens, dog's mercury, harebells, vetch. Otter spoor by the river.

Herb Robert, Bracken unfurling. Snakeshead fritillaries.

Ground ivy (hedge banks). Ash flowers.

Milkwort, cranesbill. Pedunculate oaks - first flower tassels.

Garlic mustard. Brimstone butterflies. Crab apples in bud.

Lady's bedstraw, sorrel, bee orchid. Ash bud-burst.

Borage, self-heal, first wild clematis flowers (old man's beard, traveller's joy).

Brambles. Showers wind from the south-east.

Meadow foxtail; first inflorescence.

Speedwell, ragged robin, meadow saxifrage (rare) One early foxglove.

Word of the day: "chime" - collective noun for wrens; the wren is also
known as "druid" (Welsh), "little king" (Dutch) & "jenny" (English).

Word of the day: "zawn" - wave-smashed cleft or chasm in a sea-cliff (from Cornish sâwn/sawan). Photo by Rosamund Macfarlane. pic.twitter.com/piIlxi9OVy

— Robert Macfarlane (@RobGMacfarlane) March 2, 2017

Interesting research on the bees http://qz.com/107970/scientists-discover-whats-killing-the-bees-and-its-...

When researchers collected pollen from hives on the east coast pollinating cranberry, watermelon and other crops and fed it to healthy bees, those bees showed a significant decline in their ability to resist infection by a parasite called Nosema ceranae. The parasite has been implicated in Colony Collapse Disorder though scientists took pains to point out that their findings do not directly link the pesticides to CCD. The pollen was contaminated on average with nine different pesticides and fungicides though scientists discovered 21 agricultural chemicals in one sample. Scientists identified eight ag chemicals associated with increased risk of infection by the parasite.

I know Nick's keen to track down a big cat so thought he might like this story from Meridian and WestCountry ITV this week..

Proof that 'big cats' existed

The rediscovery of a mystery animal in Bristol museum’s underground storeroom proves that a non-native ‘big cat’ prowled the British countryside at the turn of the last century.

9:01 am, Thu 25 Apr 2013
Meridian

Scientists prove that 'big cats' roamed the countryside

The Canadian Lynx was discovered in Bristol Museum's storeroom Credit: Southampton University

Was caught by a paragraph in a New Scientist article on 'Fuel of the Future?' Methane hydrates [ Fuel of the future: How fiery ice could power Asia - environment - 07 March 2013 - New Scientist ]

Ancient history offers evidence to support this, says Euan Nisbet of Royal Holloway, University of London. A landslide off Norway 8000 years ago triggered a 4-metre-high tsunami that swamped Scotland. Geological data suggests it was accompanied by a massive methane release, possibly because warmer temperatures melted sea-floor hydrates (Nature, doi.org/ccf5rs).

Been a run of lovely weather here, most unexpected.  A cold night Monday night - down to 2.5C, but much warmer since so no need for any heating yet, and, astonishingly, the allotment is keeping going. 

Went day before yesterday and picked another courgette - with more flowers coming! The beetroot continue to do well, along with the carrots and onions. Think the beans have really had it now - though the French beans are trying to flower.

Went to the beach with Astra yesterday and had a brilliant time.

There was an item in the paper about "All-hallown summer" which was very interesting

Have you heard of a blackthorn winter, or an All-hallown summer? The English language has a rich vocabulary, concerning weather. We excel with descriptive words.

On a slightly 'Cornish' day, enjoyed adventuring to Godolphin Hill and, after braving some intensifying mizzle we were rewarded with a break in the weather lasting almost long enough for us to circumnavigate the hill, enjoy the views and collect some blackberries for the first of the season's Apple and Blackberry crumbles!

Lovely ;)

There was a lot of pretty heather too

I've long been interested in the connections between BSE and nutrient deficiencies/excess so I was interested to see the following article in today's Western Morning News