Skirr Cottage Journal 7.

First local skylark heard near the allotment last Thursday inbetween the hail and rain showers. Also a sparrowhawk swept through the allotment in the area where the house sparrows and chaffinches tend to gather. On this occasion he left (for it was indeed a male) empty taloned. Buzzard and ravens also spotted above the copse on the hill. Butterflies and bees now making regular appearances on the allotment and in the cottage garden. Keeping an eye out for a brimstone butterfly, one of my favourites. Up to eight chiff-chaffs heard on Sunday at Rowsley, no willow warblers as yet. The curlews are displaying in the back field in good numbers. Romany (Bramwell Evens) would be happy! Looking forward to spotting my first local swallow or house Martin; they never cease to amaze me, having journeyed all the way from South Africa, what trials they must have encounted on route!