At last we have had some sunshine over the weekend. When the sun did shine it was pleasantly warm and it has worked its magic on the trees and flowers. The magnolia tree in our island's communal garden would normally have finished flowering by now but its buds are just opening now. Two days ago the marsh marigold in my pond had tightly closed buds but in two days has flowered. There were bees and butterflies enjoying the nectar from tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and the divinely scented daphne odora in my garden. What a difference sunshine makes.
Marsh marigold in my pond
The spring weather has brought islanders out from a long hibernation. Gardening has been on the minds of some. Unfortunately, rather than work with nature they choose April to aggressively cut back tons of foliage and hedging, inevitably disturbing nesting birds in their desire to tidy everything up. At our end of the island there will be one less brood of songbirds and probably a number of smaller nesting birds made homeless. How apposite!
Thin sunshine on the river this morning
Our nesting duck is being attacked in the nestbox every morning by a randy drake. So far the eggs haven't been broken, which is amazing considering the struggle she puts up. Today she's been driven off twice but has returned a third time and I just hope she is left in peace this time. I spoke too soon - she has just been driven off again. Perhaps she will have to abandon the nest which is sad but, now that the drake has discovered her lair he will attack her every day and there's nothing we can do to protect her.
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