{"id":3356,"date":"2017-03-16T04:08:11","date_gmt":"2017-03-16T09:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rdnhs.org.uk\/blog\/?p=3356"},"modified":"2017-03-16T04:08:11","modified_gmt":"2017-03-16T09:08:11","slug":"whitchurch-hill-15-march-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rdnhs.org.uk\/blog\/whitchurch-hill-15-march-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Whitchurch Hill – 15 March 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

On the sunny and warm morning of Wednesday 15th<\/sup> March, Ian Esland led a circular walk to the west and north of Whitchurch Hill, starting from the Sun Inn. While the group were gathering in the car park, a Buzzard climbed upwards in a tight spiral, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers flew into nearby trees and nesting Rooks made a great deal of noise. The walk started out along footpaths to a viewpoint over the valleys of the Thames and Pang. Early Dog-violets and Lesser Celandines were flowering beside the path and Skylarks, Chiffchaffs, a Bullfinch and a Treecreeper were heard. The route led by further footpaths to Coombe End Farm, where the first Brimstone butterfly flew past. From then on, it seemed as if most hedgerows had patrolling Brimstones. Initially they were all the sulphur yellow males, but later a few paler females were also seen. Red Admirals were spotted in the gardens at Cold Harbour and later a Comma was added to the tally. The walk continued down to Blackbird\u2019s Bottom, across the fields of the Oratory School and into Oaken Wood. Young green Bluebell leaves were showing well and a Marsh Tit was heard. Footpaths through woods and fields led back to Whitchurch Hill, where a Sallow covered in blossom was a magnet for bees. The walk was followed by the usual excellent lunch at the Sun Inn.<\/p>\n