I have been reading Gilbert White’s “Natural History of Selbourne” written in the latter years of the 18th century. Although people had studied individual flora and fauna before this he must have been one of the first naturalists to look at them in their whole setting and the book is made up of letters he wrote and received about observations.

What seems amazing today when we are so keen to preserve wildlife is that in order to study individuals more closely they were shot and sometimes sent to him! He says that his first Swallows generally arrived around 13th April but in 1777 he did see some around March 26th and 27th.One of our keen observers in Coddenham saw their first pair of Swallows flying into their usual nesting site in Manor Farm barn on 28th March which, I am told is 8 days later than last year. I wonder what has held them up.

The usual dusting of white tiny blossoms like a sprinkle of icing sugar can now be seen along the verges of the main roads. This is Danish scurvy grass which used to be only seen on sea cliffs where it thrived on salt spray but with road salting splashed by car tyres is now growing further inland. Another plant now spreading inland is Alexanders which has come to us from the mediterranean originally as a pot herb where the tender stems are reputed to teste like celery. It grows now in Barham and along Sandy lane.

A foreign invader which came for more tragic reasons is Hoary Cress which came in the bedding of sick troops returning from the ill fated Walcheren expedition launched against Napoleonic troops in 1809. Only 106 troops died in the fighting but about 4,000 died of sickness due to insanitary conditions. Some of the plants in their bedding spread eventually to the bank at the top of Coddenham High Street and can be seen in flower now near the 20 mph sign painted on the road.

I have heard of Blue Tits  and Great Tits visiting neighbours boxes in Mary Day Close so perhaps we shall see some youngsters soon.

Brenda Hudson