April 2025

April brought an abundance of events, politics, weather and growth - but not the sort advocated by the chancellor Rachel Reeves! Our moods were like yoyos, swinging between complete despair at yet more idiot government policies mixed with the uplifting sights of a glorious Spring bringing such hope and beauty and food from the hedgerows to the fields.

The month brought yet more broken records on the weather front, it was the sunniest April to date with the highest temperature coming in at 26.9 degrees in Cornwall, and generally a very dry few weeks.  Naturally we in the West also had plenty of heavy rain and thunder in the middle of the month and even the frosts greeted us on some mornings. The Swallows were back by the end of April, always a great moment and they joined in with the general chit chat of our other birdlife.  All the usual suspects were recorded; Chiffchaffs, Wrens, Blackbirds,Jackdaws and Goldfinches, but we also heard Skylarks, Blackcaps and Greenfinches. Out of the latter three, the Greenfinches were the only ones who showed themselves to us. I am still struggling to identify birds on site in the field - possibly not wearing my glasses is a disadvantage and a pair of binoculars would probably help.

We had a typical display of April flowers and greenery bursting forth.  Masses of Primroses rolling down the hill, more than usual, blue flowers from Periwinkles and pink from the Campions.  By the end of the month the shady areas were covered in Bluebells and White bells and more Dandelions appearing after each sunny day.  Most of the trees had the first smatterings of leaves on them, with the pussy Willow putting in a good show and the best flowers we have ever had from the Magnolia tree plus the Flowering Cherry actually had some flowers on it, which was a first.  Blossom appeared on the Plum and Damson trees, I'm hoping this means we might get some fruit this year but still plenty of time for bad weather to blow them all away. The Birch trees were looking a bit stronger, still bent in the direction of the prevailing wind but plenty of leaves showing. Cobb trees, Chestnuts, Hornbeams, Oaks and Field Maple were all thriving and bursting with energy.  The Junipers, however, looked dreadful, windblown on the side facing the Westerlies, they looked like someone had given them a terrible haircut and savaged their shape. They do seem to recover but we have yet to see any fruit on them. The Celandine colonies are sttill going strong even though they have been out since January. Violets are appearing all along the shady part of the hedges, Stitchwort dotted all down the track and large armfuls of Knapweed are growing in 4 different parts of the field, which means their presence is slowly spreading. The wild Cranesbill also contines to spread its family and many are already in full bloom. Looking down the field towards the river and the woods the colours are changing daily and across the tops of the trees pale green hues are spreading across the land.

Fields are being ploughed all around us and lots of hungry and noisy gulls circle round and follow the tracks, eager to pick up some juicy morsels. The Moles have been busy leaving an array of neat, small piles of earth all around the field. Walking across the top half of the field which has been given over to the Meadow scheme taking place on The Lizard, it doesn't yet look any diferent to previous years.  A more even spread of grasses possibly? Less docks and no sign of Ragwort, which means we did a good job of removal last Autumn, but no signs of new wildflowers yet.

In the Blackcurrant cage we are being swamped by Elm suckers, irritating but at least they are now strong and tall enough to use for plant structures in the garden. I am closing down that cage as we now have 20 Blackcurrant cuttings that have survived the Winter and ready to be planted up in a new area. It's on a small slope behind the yard and it is one of the few sheltered spots in the garden. We have also planted another Plum, Medlar and Apple tree on the same slope.  I'm hoping it will prove to be a kind environment for our fruit trees and bushes. We shall see.

Everyday I am greeted by more growth pushing up from the ground, or hanging out of the old stone walls and sprouting in between every crack in the walls of the barns.  The starting gun has been fired and every bit of nature is racing to claim their rightful space. It is so very busy out there and absolutely glorious to behold.