It has been a little while since I last gave you an update on my project to document Trumpington Meadows, the newest nature reserve taken on by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust, so today I will be sharing some of my latest photographs of the site. First though, some exciting news – the reserve will be officially opened to the public on Saturday 11th June, so please do come along and find out all about it for yourselves! If you are interested, the details of the opening event are as follows:

Now for that update I mentioned: I had hoped to take some lovely wintery images around the reserve but as you know, this winter was exceedingly mild and those beautiful icy conditions never really materialised. I had to settle for some signs of spring instead and there were plenty to find. Along with dainty, nodding Cowslips nestled in the long grass under the hedges there were Lesser Celandines glowing yellow in the undergrowth along the river’s edge.

The trees were draped in fresh green clothing and bejewelled with soft blossoms. The cherry trees wafted a sweet scent into the surrounding air and insects thronged round the Crab Apple in search of sugary nectar. Among them, Early Bumblebees, Dark Bordered Beefly and one of my favourite solitary bees, Osmia bicolor which nests in empty snail shells.

The scent on the breeze wasn’t the only thing I noticed, there was glorious birdsong all around. There were Sedge Warblers in the small reed bed while Corn Buntings sang from the hedgerows and Skylarks trilled overhead.

The highlight for me was my first damselfly of the year, a very fresh female Large Red Damselfly. I’ve seen many since my last visit to Trumpington but there is still a little buzz of excitement with the first I see each summer.

I can’t wait to get back there again soon for yet more photos and I know that the wildflowers are preparing for another wonderful display – bring it on!

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