Ooooh how lucky you are to have swifts nesting opposite! 'our' swifts are back too (I just published an article about them funnily enough) and I was SO excited to see them! Every time I hear a faint scream a huge smile appears on my face. Very much relate to your thousands of photos of the sky... With no swifts! We've had some spectacular skies here this week though, including some stunning rainbows!
The swifts are back here too. They bring such joy when they return to our street. We all look out for them. They returned a few days earlier than when they arrived last year.
Ah the swifts. I’m involved in a project here in BS16 to put up Nest boxes and raise awareness as sadly they are red listed now. The loss of nesting sites is a real issue as people improve fascia’s and the little gaps they use are lost. I was in London on Monday and was amazed to see big group of swifts screaming and feeding over Hyde park. I also saw a group of fluffy Egyptian goose goslings being shepherded across a path into the lake by their parents, the watching humans (myself included) cooed and took photos. Closer to home my wisteria is absolutely astonishing at the moment, heavily scented and masses of flowers. Definitely time to sit outside with a glass of something to soak it all in.
The play tree is fantastic! Here in Edinburgh the blossoms have peaked and we're seeing gorgeous pastel carpets of petals all over. I've gone out without a jacket TWICE. But it's also been quite the week for sea haar - I watched it rolling in over the city yesterday afternoon and walking home felt apocalyptic (and chilly). My seasonal observation of the week though is that it's Eurovision week!!! Truly one of the highlights of my year.
I wish we had swifts here, for some reason we don’t get them where I am up north. The sand martins have returned though, we saw them skimming across the River Ribble this week, in and out of the cracks in the sandy bank. That’s definitely my summer starting now.
This sounds glorious! I saw some sand Martins in Durham recently but haven't seen any down south. Weirdly I haven't seen any swallows either. Do you live near Forest of Bowland?
I live about 15 miles away, so not too far, there’s such a diverse landscape in Lancashire but strange we just don’t see swifts, lots of swallows though. Maybe I’m not looking hard enough!
Lucky you! It's a place I would love to visit properly. Do you follow Janelle Hardacre on here? She lives in the Ribble Valley and has a Substack called 'because she has to', which I enjoy! If swifts don't have a place to nest nearby then you may not see them. Or they're just flying so high up that you can't see them, ha!
I walked the dales way last year and saw loads of swifts and sand martinis. Swifts were particularly numerous in Burnsall, not far from Ilkley. Sand martins were a first for me, they were all along the river on the walk from Bolton Abbey. The dales were great for wildlife, lots of curlews and I saw a red squirrels too. Great for me coming from Bristol where we’ve only got greys.
That sounds lovely, so lucky to see red squirrels, I’ve only ever spotted them when in Scotland. Maybe it’s the Yorkshire / Lancashire divide when it comes to swifts!
The first Saturday in May is the Kentucky Derby horse race here in the US. My neighbors, who are from Kentucky, host a party every year. We attended our first one 17 years ago! Because it comes near the end of the university school year for me, it always feels like the kick-off to summer.
it feels like a glorious riot of growth and gorgeousness - just in the last week or so, so much has changed! The bluebells have peaked, the cow parsley now looks wonderful. There are cathedral-like beech tree boughs along one road i cycle along regularly. I find them so moving! their majestic overhead arches are newly bright, fresh green and bathe me in a kind of life balm!
Tree or forest bathing is a “thing” in Japan- shinrin- yoke- and it is proven to massively improve your well being and health ( mainly immune system) Trees emit substances called phytoncides which are wood essential oils- basically natural aromatherapy! Thought to be at its strongest when new green leaves emerge! So you are right Frankie!
how wonderful! I also heard a programme recently on the radio about trees giving off high frequency sounds which we can't hear, but which we absorb via our skin and they help us feel good too - I loved this idea of trees literally touching us, and the invisible world which is so easily dismissed, but so important!
We had a baby rabbit in the house, took us ages to get it to leave without my cat joining in. A red legged partridge came into the utility room and wouldn't leave until I had fed him. Our brand new hedge made up of trees and bushes from around the garden is thriving and looking great. I love Spring!!
Loving your pictures this week Lia- the doggy bluebell sniffing one, the living play tree and the May blossom out! NB we have swallows her, but no swifts! As for my three this week- as Ella B says it’s getting harder and harder just to be confined to three! With the warmer spring- like weather finally!- everything’s in my garden and surroundings is gorgeously bursting forth in lush and generous profusion. But first up - the coronation party we attended in our local Warm Hub was wonderful - especially the stupendous crown on a cushion cake we all enjoyed ( and coronation quiche with no soggy bottom) I’ll post a pic on Sunday it was <that> good and tasted great too! No 2 would have to be our long awaited bluebell walk in the woods at Routin Linn ( site of famous cup and ring markings in the rocks too) amid silence / birdsong and fresh air like you wouldn’t believe. The sheets of blue punctuated with white stitch wort, yellow bedstraw and unfurling ferns. It was bliss. And lastly days spent in the burgeoning garden with the sun on my face- pricking out, potting up, planting all my veggies in the raised beds and feasting my eyes on the garden looking at its best with bluebells, forget me nots and masses of yellow Welsh poppies which appear at this time of year everywhere.
I realised yesterday there were three blue tit fledglings chirruping sweetly, directly above my head, in the thick reaching ivy of my garden wall. So fluffy.
So happy the play tree lives and is still there bringing joy 😊
We had a family coronation picnic at work which turned into a very British picnic when the heavens opened and we had to move inside! Proper dramatic thunder storm followed. Amazing cakes though and the children had a crown parade.
It’s been sunshine and showers all week in Paris but we did get an amazing double rainbow yesterday 🌈
A fox, a bit bedraggled after a recent shower, loping along the pavement outside my house, en route to who knows where - but looking for all the world as though he owned the place.
Swifts near our friends in Preston area, blue tits hatching in my daughters nest box, wonderful Italian meal in West Cumbria while visiting another friend.
No quiches or street parties here. Just another week in May, that time between chilly nights and the earnest humidity of summer. I felt a preview of it in the rustling of oak leaves in a breeze one morning, but a storm came through and brought us a little more time. A native plant called fire pinks are having a moment here in NC as attested by the many social media posts I see about them. I spied one blooming at a botanical garden on Monday and hadn’t recalled seeing it before, but now it is everywhere. Funny how that happens.
A peaceful hot air balloon ride over bright yellow fields and the winding river Ouse in York :)
Wow how wonderful
It sounds so beautiful and so desirable. Maybe it's worth a try...
I would LOVE to go on a hot air balloon ride. Its top of the bucket list. Amazing
Only done one once on a trip to North Carolina but it was way more peaceful than I expected!
Ooooh how lucky you are to have swifts nesting opposite! 'our' swifts are back too (I just published an article about them funnily enough) and I was SO excited to see them! Every time I hear a faint scream a huge smile appears on my face. Very much relate to your thousands of photos of the sky... With no swifts! We've had some spectacular skies here this week though, including some stunning rainbows!
The swifts are back here too. They bring such joy when they return to our street. We all look out for them. They returned a few days earlier than when they arrived last year.
I'm so happy for you, I haven't had a chance to catch a rainbow yet, unfortunately.
Oooh I am sure it's only a matter of time!
i am determined to snap some eventually!
Ah the swifts. I’m involved in a project here in BS16 to put up Nest boxes and raise awareness as sadly they are red listed now. The loss of nesting sites is a real issue as people improve fascia’s and the little gaps they use are lost. I was in London on Monday and was amazed to see big group of swifts screaming and feeding over Hyde park. I also saw a group of fluffy Egyptian goose goslings being shepherded across a path into the lake by their parents, the watching humans (myself included) cooed and took photos. Closer to home my wisteria is absolutely astonishing at the moment, heavily scented and masses of flowers. Definitely time to sit outside with a glass of something to soak it all in.
Oh that's fabulous. I did put up a swift box a few years ago but the have completely ignored it, sadly. And yes, I worry for them!
The play tree is fantastic! Here in Edinburgh the blossoms have peaked and we're seeing gorgeous pastel carpets of petals all over. I've gone out without a jacket TWICE. But it's also been quite the week for sea haar - I watched it rolling in over the city yesterday afternoon and walking home felt apocalyptic (and chilly). My seasonal observation of the week though is that it's Eurovision week!!! Truly one of the highlights of my year.
Ooh yes, looking forward to it, though we are going to stay with friends who dont normally watch it...I am hoping we can sway them!
Yes! Got to love Eurovision. I am preparing European snacks for the big event, hope you enjoy your evening.
I wish we had swifts here, for some reason we don’t get them where I am up north. The sand martins have returned though, we saw them skimming across the River Ribble this week, in and out of the cracks in the sandy bank. That’s definitely my summer starting now.
This sounds glorious! I saw some sand Martins in Durham recently but haven't seen any down south. Weirdly I haven't seen any swallows either. Do you live near Forest of Bowland?
I live about 15 miles away, so not too far, there’s such a diverse landscape in Lancashire but strange we just don’t see swifts, lots of swallows though. Maybe I’m not looking hard enough!
Thanks for that - I don’t follow her, will take a look!
Lucky you! It's a place I would love to visit properly. Do you follow Janelle Hardacre on here? She lives in the Ribble Valley and has a Substack called 'because she has to', which I enjoy! If swifts don't have a place to nest nearby then you may not see them. Or they're just flying so high up that you can't see them, ha!
I walked the dales way last year and saw loads of swifts and sand martinis. Swifts were particularly numerous in Burnsall, not far from Ilkley. Sand martins were a first for me, they were all along the river on the walk from Bolton Abbey. The dales were great for wildlife, lots of curlews and I saw a red squirrels too. Great for me coming from Bristol where we’ve only got greys.
That sounds lovely, so lucky to see red squirrels, I’ve only ever spotted them when in Scotland. Maybe it’s the Yorkshire / Lancashire divide when it comes to swifts!
It was so exciting when I saw one. I basically squealed and did a little dance 😂
I wish I could see them now, it would definitely make my day.
oh that does sound magic too
The first Saturday in May is the Kentucky Derby horse race here in the US. My neighbors, who are from Kentucky, host a party every year. We attended our first one 17 years ago! Because it comes near the end of the university school year for me, it always feels like the kick-off to summer.
Oh how marvellous, what a well timed thing
I went to the derby once since it was on my sister’s bucket list and even though it was a bit overwhelming it was also so much fun
it feels like a glorious riot of growth and gorgeousness - just in the last week or so, so much has changed! The bluebells have peaked, the cow parsley now looks wonderful. There are cathedral-like beech tree boughs along one road i cycle along regularly. I find them so moving! their majestic overhead arches are newly bright, fresh green and bathe me in a kind of life balm!
Tree or forest bathing is a “thing” in Japan- shinrin- yoke- and it is proven to massively improve your well being and health ( mainly immune system) Trees emit substances called phytoncides which are wood essential oils- basically natural aromatherapy! Thought to be at its strongest when new green leaves emerge! So you are right Frankie!
how wonderful! I also heard a programme recently on the radio about trees giving off high frequency sounds which we can't hear, but which we absorb via our skin and they help us feel good too - I loved this idea of trees literally touching us, and the invisible world which is so easily dismissed, but so important!
yes, FINALLY! We've waited long enough.
We had a baby rabbit in the house, took us ages to get it to leave without my cat joining in. A red legged partridge came into the utility room and wouldn't leave until I had fed him. Our brand new hedge made up of trees and bushes from around the garden is thriving and looking great. I love Spring!!
Oh blimey, spring is invading the house!
It was a busy few minutes!
Loving your pictures this week Lia- the doggy bluebell sniffing one, the living play tree and the May blossom out! NB we have swallows her, but no swifts! As for my three this week- as Ella B says it’s getting harder and harder just to be confined to three! With the warmer spring- like weather finally!- everything’s in my garden and surroundings is gorgeously bursting forth in lush and generous profusion. But first up - the coronation party we attended in our local Warm Hub was wonderful - especially the stupendous crown on a cushion cake we all enjoyed ( and coronation quiche with no soggy bottom) I’ll post a pic on Sunday it was <that> good and tasted great too! No 2 would have to be our long awaited bluebell walk in the woods at Routin Linn ( site of famous cup and ring markings in the rocks too) amid silence / birdsong and fresh air like you wouldn’t believe. The sheets of blue punctuated with white stitch wort, yellow bedstraw and unfurling ferns. It was bliss. And lastly days spent in the burgeoning garden with the sun on my face- pricking out, potting up, planting all my veggies in the raised beds and feasting my eyes on the garden looking at its best with bluebells, forget me nots and masses of yellow Welsh poppies which appear at this time of year everywhere.
Gorgeous, yes I had loads more potential things to talk about. It's not lean old January any more...
Thank goodness ! It really did seem a looong winter !
Love the description of your garden with the sun on your face and the stunning bluebell woods - marvellous how clean the air can feel in the spring 🤍
May blossom - like yours, ours is a week or so into flowering so still lots of tight buds but enough flowers out to eat one or two.
Also swifts, a low-flying pair about 6 feet anove my head.
Warm sun and torrential rain.
The sea's warm enough for a proper swim.
Fabulous to hear...I'm going in tomorrow...!
I realised yesterday there were three blue tit fledglings chirruping sweetly, directly above my head, in the thick reaching ivy of my garden wall. So fluffy.
oh the little darlings!
So happy the play tree lives and is still there bringing joy 😊
We had a family coronation picnic at work which turned into a very British picnic when the heavens opened and we had to move inside! Proper dramatic thunder storm followed. Amazing cakes though and the children had a crown parade.
It’s been sunshine and showers all week in Paris but we did get an amazing double rainbow yesterday 🌈
Oh dear your coronation weather was very like ours then!
Yes very wet and rainy ☹️
Oh, how lucky you are. I'd love to see a rainbow, too, but so far I haven't been able to catch one.
Just beautiful! May is my favourite month of thr year for so many of the reasons described here x
It is just the most beautiful month isnt it
A fox, a bit bedraggled after a recent shower, loping along the pavement outside my house, en route to who knows where - but looking for all the world as though he owned the place.
Lovely, tons of them around here too and the dogs get very excited by their wild relatives...
Swifts near our friends in Preston area, blue tits hatching in my daughters nest box, wonderful Italian meal in West Cumbria while visiting another friend.
wonderful
No quiches or street parties here. Just another week in May, that time between chilly nights and the earnest humidity of summer. I felt a preview of it in the rustling of oak leaves in a breeze one morning, but a storm came through and brought us a little more time. A native plant called fire pinks are having a moment here in NC as attested by the many social media posts I see about them. I spied one blooming at a botanical garden on Monday and hadn’t recalled seeing it before, but now it is everywhere. Funny how that happens.
I havent heard of them, shall go and look them up