Calling on cue

I was just wondering when I might hear a cuckoo - it is May after all - and lo, walking up to Old Sarum the other day, I heard my first one. I wonder whether it is the same one (they do live for several years) as I always seem to hear one down there. After that, I just kept hearing them.

Last weekend saw me finally get to two of my favourite haunts, albeit late for some floristic spectacles. First up was Garston Wood - the bluebell wood of choice every year, near Sixpenny Handley south-west of Salisbury. Although the bluebells were sadly over, other woodland species were taking their moment to shine. Orchids - the strange green flowers of twayblade, the beautiful deep magenta of early purple, and one small spike of a common spotted. Together with the delicate tufts of sanicle, and the intriguing yellow hooded towers of yellow archangel, as well as some patches of ramsons still trying to make a show, it was a bit of a botanist's dream! Our route took us out of the RSPB reserve into neighbouring fields, where we had a great view of a male cuckoo flying across in the distance, together with the calls of skylarks and yellowhammer. We also had views of a pair of buzzards, including one sat in a tree staring at us from afar.

Next up was Martin Down (of course), where I had hoped to catch some of the cowslips - they were, sadly, a bit past their best, but still showing enough in numbers to enjoy. I couldn't see any burnt-tip orchids (possibly too late) nor adonis blue butterflies (possibly too early!), but the short turf next to the enormous Bokerley Dyke earthwork contained lots of chalk milkwort (deep indigo and white morphs), with patches of the striking kidney vetch. In the distance, calls of the rare corn bunting, lots of skylarks and yellowhammers. But the most beautiful - and reassuring - was the calling turtle dove from the hedge next to the main car park! We heard several on our travels. These beautiful doves face a very difficult life and journey, with populations having declined alarmingly. They overwinter in sub-Saharan Africa, facing food shortages and lack of habitat. Their migration across the Mediterranean is littered with hunters poised atop hills trying to shoot them out of the sky. And then when - if - they finally make it, they face similar food and habitats shortages over here, due to intensification of agriculture. Martin Down is a bit of a haven though - you can always hear them. This persecution also afflicts the cuckoo, with numbers declining. It may be sad to face a British countryside without the calls of quintessential birds such as the skylark, turtle dove and cuckoo.

Finally, today we popped up to the delightful village of Tisbury, just west of Salisbury, for a quick walk up and around the lovely countryside here, and a visit to the wonderful Messums art gallery. Our route crossed the Nadder, in a beautiful spot with clear water and water crowfoot flowering. We then headed up the valley sides for great views over the village, accompanied again by yellowhammers and skylarks, before reaching our end point of Fonthill lake. This is part of the large Fonthill estate, with 'grottoes' created along one side, although not publically accessible.

With the Salisbury Art Trail about to kick off (2nd - 17th June) I'll be busy each weekend demonstrating my painting at Henderson's Bakery in the Market Square, so less opportunity for walks and therefore blog posts. Hope I don't miss any more natural spectacles!