Blue Tit in blossom

The planting in Foxburrow Wood in Oxfordshire is relatively new. It started in 2010 and ended in 2014. It’s 20 acres and half of it has been planted with native species, leaving the rest as open space. It’s a dog-walking heaven which makes it slightly difficult for ground-nesting birds, and there is no old wood, making it impossible for tree-hole nesting birds. It is, however, getting there.

There’s a ‘seasonal stream’ which runs through it. That’s a euphemism for a straight-cut agricultural drainage channel. I very much hope that it will be blocked, re-routed and natural areas of bog will be allowed to form. It’s currently completely dry.

In the corner of one of the fields is this dark pink flowered tree. Doesn’t it look stunning at this time of year, especially with a Blue Tit in close attendance?