thought i'd died & gone to heaven!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday 17/6/10.  i went to Strumpshaw Fen i needed to blow the cobwebs away, the sun as shining brightly with a lovely blue sky & a few fluffy clouds, but there was a strong chilly breeze blowing, that certainly cleared the cobwebs.

i started off walking through the woods the sun was shafting through the trees(you know me & my trees) it was heaven, lots of birds singing, wrens, robins,blue, great & coal tits, thrushes, blackbirds & chiffchaffs,  lots of insects about as well.

I then walked to the meadow trail ( its only open from end of may to early sept, )  it was full of beautiful wild flowers such as spotted & marsh orchids, red & white clover, buttercups, ox eyed daisy, ragged robin, yarrow, yellow rattle, trefoils, speedwell & lots more. in the hedgerow is guelder-rose, dog roses & honey suckle. there are little streams along the edge with flag iris & water lilies, there were lots of damsel & dragonflies along the waters edge.

I saw marsh harriers hunting for food, lots of swifts skimming over the reedbeds, lots of warblers, bearded tits, blackcaps, the whole place was alive & buzzing!!!!!!!!!!!

The absolute, most amazing find of the day was a SWALLOW TAIL BUTTERFLY , there were not too many about as it was windy, i ended up following this one halfway across the meadow, it settled on the grass & obliged by opening its wings so i could photo it in all its glory,  i went home with the biggest grin on my face, one happy bunny .  a great day out : )