Garlic galore and nesting Nutties in Millwood

The wild garlic is in full bloom in Millwood. After a long cold winter it is so lovely to see fresh spring growth on the trees and the hint of a carpet of Bluebells to come in the next few weeks. The colours at this time of year are intense, as if Mother Nature has turned the vibrancy button up a few notches.

 The woods were alive with birds busily collecting food for their young.

 Mrs Mallard standing sentry over her three ducklings.

 A Song Thrush fledgling patiently waiting for its parents to bring food.

A pair of Nuthatches had set up home in one of the many nesting boxes in the wood and were working hard to bring insects to their nestlings.

 One out, one in!

We could have watched these gorgeous little birds all day!

Hopefully we will see their young when they fledge.

Thanks for visiting. I hope you've enjoyed the photos.

If you go down to Millwood today...

Spring has definitely sprung and the grass is riz in Cumbria! As for "where the birdies is"... well they've certainly been busy in my garden and were in full voice in Millwood early yesterday morning. The church bells ringing out from nearby Dalton St. Mary's adding a lovely musical accompaniment to their singing.

Tree Sparrows gathering nesting materials

Millwood is a sight for sore eyes at the moment, carpeted as it is with wild garlic, wood sorrel and bluebells galore.

All the birds are busy nesting at this time of year. Some young have already successfully fledged, such as the Blackcap family we saw flitting through the trees. I only managed a not so good photo of the female.

 On our last visit we saw a dozen or more Mallard ducklings and I was happy to see that at least some of them had survived the dangers of predation that befall so many chicks.

 

 A male Bullfinch put in a brief appearance, before flying off to where his mate was calling to him, out of our view.

 The deeper we went into the woods, the more of a blue haze met our eyes. If you have a Bluebell wood nearby, give your senses a treat and take an early morning walk before this all too brief floral display is over for another year!
Thanks for visiting; I hope you enjoy the photos.