May Delayed

 OUR AIM IS TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE HABITAT IT PROVIDES FOR WILDLIFE ALONG THE RIVERSIDE

Our May Meet took place on 23rd May 2021 on a day typical of May this year, cool, becoming windy.

The month had been cooler and windier than in recent years with signs of spring delayed by about two weeks. This continued to be the case in the flowering of wild flowers, trees coming into leaf, blossom appearing and migrant birds nesting.

Our work was carried out according to the current HDC COVID-19 restrictions with activities such as hauling a trolley out of the river postponed until our next meet on 27th June 2021when we were expecting Lockdown to have been lifted on 21st. The haul was not large as the wild May weather had put off plans for litter generating outdoor activities. 

Fruit blossom after the wind and rain. The results this year will probably be very varied depending on location, with some areas sheltered from the wind, rain and hail. Different varieties have very different blossoming times as well. Certainly all the trees have blossomed this spring.

The May blossom was late enough to avoid much damage. This is a Hawthorn tree planted as part of a protective hedge with Hazel and Hornbeam, with fruit trees here and there all of which have borne fruit each summer.

Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)

Thought to bring travellers good luck on their way. Seldom noticed by passers-by in recent times - due to the speed with which people travel ... we hope it will survive to brighten verges and corners.