Hi, everyone, I hope you are enjoying this great weather for early May - looks like a sudden and unusual change at the weekend. I believe we have an answer to Nick's mystery skeleton.  The day day after the last newsletter, Catherine Leigh found a picture comment by naturalist Ben Garrod on her Twitter feed. There was an identical skeletal part on his son's head - The pelvis of a skeleton!  I have attached a picture below!

Glen sent a lovely picture of a Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula), one of the first to show in spring. (Attached photo) Spotted near Reffley Reservoir on April 20th.

Ian had a visit from a couple of hedgehogs - but they were not socially distancing! (first photo).

Further to Nick's sighting of Cranes over the Wash, a member of BVCG spotted these two on Upton Fen (see photo below)

Just a great mass of Red Campion coming on in my garden as the sun came up through the trees (Last photo)

Phil tells me he heard a cuckoo last week in West Winch.  Has anyone else heard one? 

Tom has not seen his usual swifts and swallows yet;  Sue M saw her first swift earlier this week.  I had not seen any until today, when I found a dead swift on the pavement in Gayton..

Peter tells me Salters Sanctuary is reasonably tidy apart from a few drinks cans; No trimming back needed yet!

Now, sadly, Viv's elderly cat Patch has died.  She has cat food, litter, litter trays, toys, cat carrier(no door) and a bed.  Free to a good home! I am sure Patch has been a great companion for you, Viv.

Enjoy VE Day tomorrow and I expect to hear you all singing along with Vera Lynn at 9 p.m. We await Boris' announcement on Sunday, but will only get back to our activities if it is considered safe to do so and with guidance from NWT.

Best wishes,

John

Nicholas Denny submitted the following photo asking what the wildflower is.

Here is Jenny’s reply via email Your photograph shows an extensive area of this plant. It almost looks like a crop. I think it might be Fodder Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba balearicum) which has large globular red flower heads and grows at places like Courtyard Farm. Kind regards Jenny

A note from Richard A note from North Runcton. ‘Our’ Swifts turned up last Saturday (A day late by usual standards!) A maximum of 6 (together) so far. Swallows were late – only the week before. (Also a maximum of 6 so far). The House Martins appeared today (although I had seen a single one several weeks back). Two people also heard a cuckoo here last week – but I didn’t. I think we do have hedgehogs this year – because I am finding the scat – but I never see one! I would love to see the Cranes. (Where is ‘Upton Fen’?). I bow to Jenny on the plants – but I thought Great Burnet? Kind regards Rick.