Friday 11th. March 2011

Yesterday's work session on the Common started with the sad sight of a male Roe Deer lying on the verge at the entrance to the car park . It was probably hit by a speeding car in the early hours , and was beyond any help when found .
I could only manage a couple of hours out after lunch , by which time , the earlier sunshine was once again hidden behind grey cloud and the wind started to feel much cooler again too . My first stop was Keston Ponds , with the only interest being four male Mandarin trying to attract a single female . There was much scrapping , whistling and posturing , both above and below the surface , before one took the spot that all of them wanted , perched in the favourite overhanging tree , next to the sole female . The white blurr to the left of the male , was another male showing off .
I quick look up on the Greensand Ridge produced four Adders , once again all males , and I think 3 of them were animals seen on my last visit .
My last visit , on the way back home , was to High Elms to check up on the Butterbur after seeing it in full flower on Dean/DDD's blog . On the way I passed the dipping pond , where I found a huge amount of frogspawn , the first I have seen this year . Further along the track were lots of Sweet Violets/Viola odorata , and among the many blue/violet specimens , were a few white ones . I was surprised when reaching the patch where the Butterbur grow to find no sign of it at all , so I will have to be patient on this one . This is one of the plants that flower first and leaf afterwards . Before heading back to the car , a quick look at the ponds near the educational centre produced more frogspawn , but most had been hit by the recent frosts , but more had been deposited since , and hopefully this will survive .
My early finish was to be back home for my newly fitted windscreen to be trimmed properly , as it was not on the first attempt . For once , the arranged appointment was on time .