29 March: Late March sunshine in the Alton / Four Marks area

Flowering willows are a reliable place to hunt for wildlife on sunny days in early spring. Brimstones and other butterflies are typical. They will also attract birds. One tree held Marsh Tit, Chiffchaff, and two Firecrests. It is not clear whether the birds are feeding on pollen/nectar or the insects which it attracts. However each year we see newly arrived warblers with black pollen on the forehead from where they have been feeding further south in Europe.

Brimstone:

The first orange tip of the year, 29 March 2019:

Wood Sorrel now in flower: Four Marks.

This clump of Barren Strawberry is growing 18" above ground on a moss-covered tree trunk.

The first Red Campion of the year: Four Marks 29 March.

I found a clump of this small green flower near Four Marks but yet to find it in the book.

Orange Underwing moth, Four Marks. Gathering salts from the mud where forestry operations have been happening. The antenna are segmented rather than feathered which helps to distinguish from Light Orange Underwing. This is a birch specialist - while Light Orange Underwing is associated with Aspen.