If you read last months report you will remember that I wrote about the demise of frogspawn that was found in shallow ditches along the hedgerows.

The photograph on the left was the last one that I took of the frogspawn. You can see that the embryonic frogs are taking on a distinctly elongated shape, although one egg has failed to develop. The green colouration is due to green algae.

The photograph on the right was taken about two weeks later, the life giving water has gone.

Not all life is at risk from the warm weather we have been having.

On my way down the cattle drive, rabbits were a common site. this one is basking in the warmth of the early morning sun.

Turning to look back up the cattle drive and the rabbit and I had been joined by this chaffinch.

Also in the hedgerow of the drive was this Small Tortoiseshell butterfly, another sign of the warm weather it was not on its own.

They seem to be rather fond of the patches of new nettle growth lining the hedges.

Lastly, at least for the cattle drive there was this beetle.

I am not the best when it comes to identifying creepy crawlies, for some reason the are not my favorite members of the animal kingdom. Given that this particular beetle had a lovely metallic orange sheen to it (photograph does not do it justice) I think it could be a a member of a famile of beetles known as Jewel Beetles, but don't quote me on that.

Away from the drive now, and why walk when you can fly?

Caught mid-stride as it ran for cover this squirrel appears to be flying just above the ground.

As with the rabbits April was a good month for Squirrel spotting.

This squirrel at the base of a nearby tree adopts a more classic pose.

An american import grey squirrels are now a common site even in town gardens.

Our own native red squirrel is a far less common sight, indeed I have only ever seen two in the wild.

Ever heard strange tapping noises in the woods and trees, chance are that you've heard one of these. It is a woodpecker. in this case it is a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

This year they appear to be very common here at Greenheyes. This one is a male Greater Spotted Woodpecker.

From the vantage of another tree one of my favorite birds looks on, this is a Buzzard.

Yet again these are now an everday sight here at Greenheyes and indeed throughout Cheshire.

They have a majestic soaring flight. Using the uplift from thermals they can stay airborn with very little effort as they look for food.

Maybe it had its sharp eyes on these two young pheasant.

Finally for this month, the dry weather means that the water level in the River Dane is the lowest it has been since the end of summer last year.

This has enabled me to get my first good look at the archaeological remains that I found.

This new line of timber is distinctly visible extending into the river.

At the bottom of the line of timber it appears to make a 90 degree turn to the left (as viewed in the photograph)

I shall keep you updated with any further developments.

Well thats it for now.

More next month Andy

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