NORTH DOWNS & BEYOND

A chilly north-easterly wind, clear blue skies and a harsh sunlight all added up to provide an underwhelming morning's birding. Again, perversely, I chose to bird 'the road less travelled' which equated to a few hours of seeing very little, although this is what is to be expected when the places I visit are not all that 'birdy'. If I'm staying local it just seems a more adventurous option than to visit the crowded footpaths at Beddington or Holmethorpe. There are plenty of eyes already watching these north-Surrey hotspots - all I would do is add to that mass (although I plan to visit them both soon enough). This morning's highlight was botanical, as down by the banks of the River Mole, close to Mickleham, one of spring's highlights was unfurling - the mass flowering of Ramsons (above). These bright white flowers zing out against the oh-so green leaves, the whole experience joined with the unmistakable smell of garlic. This show will look even better in a...

If you had been standing next to me when I took this picture you certainly would have. This is Ramsons, carpeting the woodland floor along the banks of the River Mole between Westhumble and Mickleham. There was plenty still in bud, so I reckon that after this coming weekend, when the sun is out and the temperatures are set to soar, it will be at its best. It is a sight well worth the effort to see. Plenty of butterflies on the wing today, mostly Brimstones and Orange-tips but also a few Speckled Woods (above).

Sometimes - and not very often when I'm involved - a picture can capture 'the moment'. This is, in my humble opinion, such an image. I was walking along a footpath in deep shade along the banks of the River Mole near Mickleham. It was late morning and the sun was still low enough to be illuminating the woodland with an ethereal light. Above, the leaf canopy had unfurled to help diffuse this light further, which in turn lit an enormous patch of newly flowering Ramsons to perfection, capturing the pristine condition of the plants, all fresh greens and brilliant whites. If you take a deep breath you can almost smell the garlic scent from your chair...