(My) first cuckoo of 2025

The day started off with confusion and disappointment.

I was up, packed and ready for a day's walking with the National Park from Cawfields Quarry. We were to walk where the Romans built an amazing aqueduct. 

I arrived early to find a coach load of American tourists, most of whom were wearing large stetsons. As I stood by my car I heard their guide telling them about Hadrian's Wall (and spelling out two words incorrectly to them: dolorite and whinn sill [sic]).

I paid for my car parking because the machine is slow and I waited for other people to arrive.

To cut a long story short, the walk was cancelled due to lack of bookings and the message had gone into Spam. I had no phone signal so could not see this.

I drove on to Gowk Bank, the nature reserve, muttering darkly that I should have brought my camera with the close up lens. I had only my iPhone with me.

I had a lovely time there. The best thing was hearing a cuckoo for the first time this year. They have been back for weeks, but I had not heard one. My Spring arrives when the triumvirate is complete: cuckoo flower, orange tip butterfly and hearing the cuckoo.

I met D, who works for the Northumberland Wildlife Trust and his gorgeous collie, Bron.  We searched unsuccessfully for small white orchids. He had come in search of the green winged orchid, having heard a report that one had been spotted.

He found an orchid. I thought it was an early purple, but he thought it might be green winged. It was hard to say.

It was too early for frog orchids, but the globe flowers were blooming in profusion.

The day was salvaged.