2017's Spotted Flycatchers

After 2015 when the owl ate the chicks we are always pleased that these relatively rare little birds reappear. Though non have nested in that spot since.
These are nicely hidden away in the climbing hydrangea, hopefully it will be a successful brood.
More yuck to the weather today, but it cleared up in time for a bbq with a difference. Held at the really rather lovely Nags Farm, home to the Learning Fields charity. They provide a safe space for people with all kinds of difficulties to interact with nature - from learning to hedge, to simply sitting and staring at clouds and lots of points in between. It's not a big or well known endeavour, but it proves that anyone with the will to do so can make a difference.
A guided walk through their meadows, woodland and sensory area was really rather inspiring. As was the informative talk about good land management. Pastures that in 2014 had 2 orchids, then 6 the following year, then a few more.... This year it wasn't possible to count. How proper woodland management has meant carpets of bluebells not seen in decades have returned - fascinating proof that nature and humans can endure and succeed with just a little support and the right environment.