The Start for 2014

What a contrast  year  the first post for 2013 was the meadow under 8 inches of  snow accompanied by freezing weather .This year we have had constant wind and storms following on one after another. The weather has also been very mild.So many things starting into growth far too early . I hope we now dont get a spell of harsh frosty weather to knock them all back again

Winter Flowering Honeysuckle
Lonicera Fragrantissima
2014 m1
This has been planted right by the gate on dry days
 I cant resist a really good smiff of its fantastic perfume.
it has the ability to brighten an otherwise dull day.

                                                                  

Summer is over in the meadow

Meadow ready for cutting

All to soon the meadow flowers are over and its time to cut and remove all the dead flowers. The lovely sunny weather has suddenly brought all the flowers to an end ,and the also time  to put the meadow to sleep until the spring just the contractor to cut the Hawthorn  hedges.  Even though the flowers are finished there are still things  to see and the meadow is constantly changing through Autumn and into winter . There will be more bulbs to be sourced and buy and plant seeds to buy and plugs to have ready to plant out next spring

All cut ready to collect

Collecting

Nearly done collected into heaps

Flossie quality control  approves the almost finished job 

Early July flowers updated

Birds foot trefoil
Lotus carnicculatus
2013/m26

Comfrey
 symphytum officiale
2013/m27

Tufted Vetch
Vicia cracca
2013/m38

Dog Rose
  rosa canina
2013/m28

Double Welsh Poppy
 meconopsis cambrica
2013/m29

Single Welsh Poppy
meconopsis cambrica
2013/m30

Wild Garlic ramsons
Allium ursinum
2013/31

Common Chicory
 Cicherium intybus 
2013/m32

Greater knapweed
Centaurea scabiosa
2013/33

Meadow Cransbill,
Geranium pratense
2013/m34

Wild carrot 
Daucus carot 
2013/m35

Oriental  Poppy
Papaver Orientale
2013/m36

Candelabra Primula
 Proliferae primula
 2013/m37

Late JuneFlowers

Creeping Buttercup
Ranunculus Repens\
2013M25

Queen Anns Lace
Cow parsley
Anthrisus sylvastris
2013/M23

Crab Apple
Rumax
2013/M22

Common Sorrel
Rumex acetosa
2013/m24

Comfrey
Symphytum officiale
2013/m20

Apple Blossom
Malus Domestica
2013/m23

June didn't let us down

The meadow didnt let us down in June  a gorgeous show although still late individual flowers to follow. A lot of flowers missing this spring maybe just late . grass getting a bit too strong .I will have to plant more yellow rattle for next year

Just a few of the birds who are nesting with us this year

One  of the five pair of swallows that have made our buildings home for the summer  if I can keep the Kestrel from getting inside the buildings there is a good chance  we could have 60 swallows leaving for africa at the end of the summer 

i

This little chap looks too small to be out on his own yet, but Mum  Knew where he was and is feeding him