And this is where I go......

'And if it rains all day, call on you, I'll call on you.'

It's as if spring had been put on hold by the constant rainfall of the past three weeks. But a short break in the clouds told us to get out  and be quick about it. The copse appeared to have changed little since our last visit, the only clues that the countryside was crawling towards summer were revealed in the flora. Moschatal and common dog violet was still growing strongly, but their ranks had been joined by barren strawberry, lily of the valley and goldilocks buttercup.

Orange tips patrolled the pathways and one even paused a while to feed on a violet.

Bird activity was fairly quiet and the only migrants we heard were chiffchaffs and a blackcap. Swifts and swallows passed overheard showing us that migration is still in full swing. The marsh tits were busy feeding young in the nestbox, with three adults serving the nest.

Surprise, surprise, the weather soon closed in and we headed home, but not before dropping in to see the hares - who looked very content in a sea of winter barley.