A dry day here after a few days of drizzle and light rain, so I set off on a walk to Hudnall and Nettleden and back (about 14 miles). This is one of my favourite local walks, but this was the first time I'd done it anti-clockwise for a couple of years or so. The weather remained generally a bit grey and gloomy, but with occasional sunny intervals.
Path from Whipsnade Zoo towards Studham church
Path across the Gade valley to Hudnall
Footpath approaching Nettleden
Path approaching Great Gaddesden
The Gade valley near Great Gaddesden
River Gade at Great Gaddesden
Path through Hoo Wood, near Great Gaddesden
Looking across the Gade valley near Great Gaddesden
Path along the edge of Holywell, Beds.
There were a lot of Buzzards about today, I twice saw four in the sky together and there were three as I got back home to Kensworth. I saw two Great Spotted Woodpeckers near Studham church - I spotted them at the same time, though they were on different trees. One was so near I could see the red on its neck indicating it was a male. Later on I saw two Green Woodpeckers. There were Skylarks singing almost everywhere, and I twice as a Yellowhammer.
A few more Bluebells were out, and there were still loads of Lesser Celandine. Greater Stitchwort is out too now, another of my spring favourites. Not many butterflies today though, just a couple of Peacocks and Brimstones.