May Day at Batsford Arboretum

After weeks of beautiful sunny weather, May arrived in a cloudburst. But it wasn’t a total washout. Yesterday we celebrated May Day or Beltane Day with a day out to Batsford Arboretum. It was a nice drive until we got lost in the road works. But thankfully we managed to find the right route.

We drove through 'quintessentially English' country with gentle hillsides (‘wolds’), peaceful river valleys, and villages of honey-coloured stone, with manor houses, churches and traditional pubs. Blazing yellow flowers from rapeseed plants brightened up the countryside. What a pity there was no place to stop. Along the route, we also drove on the famous Fosse Way. This is the only Roman road in Britain that retained its original Latin name.

We got a glimpse of Moreton-in-Marsh with its broad sweep of a main street flanked by gorgeous, honey-coloured Cotswold stone houses and shops. Simply stunning. I wished we’d time to wander and wonder.

We purchased a joint Falconry/Arboretum ticket. When we went in the Falconry, WOW, WOW. We were greeted by stunning birds of prey. A bird keeper asked me whether I would like to handle one. Yes please !!! It was a dream come true. Just look at this stunning female Golden Eagle perched on my left arm. Definitely one of the things to do before you die :-).

Our cameras was ultra-busy. There were soo many to photograph. The Centre is ringed by aviaries, which hold breeding pairs of all sorts of Birds of Prey, ranging from very agitated Secretary Birds, through to Pygmy Owls and on to Vultures. I especially love this guy cos everytime I point my camera at him, he spread his wings out.

There were 3 shows per day where you can view spectacular demonstrations featuring different species. We learnt about the ancient art of falconry and how its skills were used to show the birds’ natural behaviour. We saw 2 amazing displays.

It was an unforgettable experience to see the stooping of a falcon, the silent flight of the owl and the quick dash of the hawk. Imagine the thrill of having an European Eagle Owl flying 6 inches above your head. What about having these awesome birds landing literally beside you on the bench.

After the excellent presentation, we were informed that of a group of Morris Dancers were performing by the entrance. Traditional English May Day rites and celebrations include Morris dancing, crowning a May Queen and celebrations involving a Maypole. I always enjoyed watching Morris dancing and where can I find a Maypole…

We were entertained by 3 groups of Morris dancers, among them the famous Chipping Camden. There was also a group of clog dancers. We thoroughly enjoyed their performances and couldn’t resist the opportunity of a shot with a hobby horse!!!

Then it was time to check the arboretum. What a coincidence. According to the anthropologist E. O. James' description, as a part of the May Day celebration, the youths in old Europe would cut down a tree, lopping off the branches leaving a few at the top. They then wrapped it round with violets like the figure of the Attis, the ancient Roman god. At sunrise, they used to take it back to their villages by blowing horns and flutes. Trees have always been the symbol of the great vitality and fertility of nature and were often used at the spring festivals of antiquity.

Batsford Arboretum was home to 121 species of Japanese cherry trees and 97 species of Magnolia. Unfortunately we were too tired to see the national collection of Japanese Village Cherries. As we walked along the foothpath we were greeted with a visual cacophony of colour. There were a few cherry and magnolia trees along the route.

There were still clusters of candyfloss flowers with cascades of white and pink bursting open on the cherry trees. Below, flower petals were scattered on the ground above a carpet of yellow cowslips and the vista was stunning. I just couldn’t help shaking a few branches and standing below it. The other visitors must think I’m a bit loco. But, hey, it was fun.

I thoroughly enjoyed my day out. I loved checking out all these places. It was a wonderful experience and adventure. And you don’t have to go far.

This week I also managed to see my first Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) The nature reserve was buzzing with the news that 5 of them were seen feeding in one of the pools. I took the afternoon off because it was not often you get to see these waders. They suffered a large breeding population decline in the past and are now a rare breeder.

We spotted them feeding on the Teal Pool. From a distant, we couldn’t see how big it was until a Redshank, which was feeding nearby, came close. It was a large wading bird with a very long straight bill and long legs. They were so engrossed in finding food often with their head completed submerged in the waters.

I had a lovely weekend and I hoped you too had a good one.