That was indeed a nice one to end on.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
I've been out locally during several short spells of reasonably warm sunshine since, but I think that it does now look like 2020 is over here. Consequently I can now look back at the season, and as mentioned before, I shall largely concentrate on my local patch, plus the inclusion of Staines Moor (as it is within walking distance and has been a major revelation for any fan of the Small Copper!).
First, an overview of my local patch.
A large part of the ground I cover on local walks is the area bounded by the M25 (to the west), the A3112 (to the south), the River Colne (to the east) and up to the Old Bath Road (to the north). It is basically grassland, though bounded in places with woodland and bramble thickets. The soil is poor, being for the most part composed of the spoil dug out when Heathrow Terminal Five was constructed, and the land is owned by Heathrow and maintained by the Airport as part of the Heathrow Biodiversity Conservation Area. Aside from supporting a healthy wildflower and therefore butterfly population, I believe there are a good variety of other invertebrates (I see many dragonflies, and have found wasp spiders and stag beetles in the past). It also hosts nesting birds, including skylarks and lapwings, and there is a lot of other passing birdlife (I am no expert here!).
When Heathrow expansion was on the cards, this whole area would have been swallowed by development. Heathrow was committed to replacement of like for like, but appeared not to realise that sites like this take years to evolve and you cannot create a replacement overnight. Thankfully the current COVID pandemic seems to have thoroughly dampened down any enthusiasm for the expansion - I doubt there is currently any money in anyone's pocket to finance such a huge venture and it will be many months (maybe years) before air traffic returns to levels known before 2020.
Unfortunately there has recently been a threat to the area of a different nature. Since its creation, Heathrow has maintained a route from one end to the other for the benefit of walkers, cyclists and horseriders. Simple gates were installed. However, over the last twelve months, local off-road motorcyclists and quadbikers have discovered the area, and at weekends in particular have been (ab)using it more and more, churning up the grass and in recent weeks creating large areas of mud. The gates proved no obstacle - they were attacked with boltcutters and physically removed. Replacements went the same way within 48 hours of installation. Rigorous policing by Heathrow conservation staff is not a practical option (in cash-strapped times it can hardly be a high priority, and staff do not work weekends when most damage occurs). Nevertheless, in conjunction with the local council, access points have recently been obstructed by large concrete blocks. Pedestrians can pass through, and pedal cycles can be lifted over with care. Unfortunately, horses can no longer access the site. It remains to be seen how the bikers react to this latest development.
The remainder of my patch is the area around Hithermoor Lake, with the River Colne running alongside. There is mixed deciduous woodland, good stands of ivy and plenty of brambles and nettles. Wild buddleias are a useful feature as well. One open bit of grass would support good numbers of wildflowers if only it wasn't mown two or three times every year - one year when the midsummer mow was somehow overlooked, there were many more butterflies! Apparently local people really do complain if the grass doesn't look like their front lawn...
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
This area around the lake is where the season usually kicks off, and 2020 was no exception.
MARCH
March began to warm up at the end of the first week, and became increasingly sunny, putting the extremely wet February into distant memory. Overall, the average daily high at Heathrow was nearly 12 degrees, with 15 or 16 being reached on a few days. Overall, 148 hours of sun were logged (near enough four and threequarter hours a day), a welcome trend that was to continue for the rest of the Spring.
The first butterflies appeared on 11th, in 15 degree sunshine. Three species too - a Small Tortoiseshell, a Peacock and no fewer than seven Brimstones. Three more species were seen before the month was out: Comma (13th), Small White (23rd) and Orange Tip (25th). All six were seen on 26th.
Spring had arrived.
Dave