Country diary: hedgerow hide and seek with the young whitethroats

Claxton, Norfolk: Suddenly a bird flickers outward, wings unfurled in clean lines, tail splayed split-second, before it dives for the latticed purdah of the bush interiorOn the elder bushes the particoloured fruits of burgundy-black and green are a perfect metaphor for this moment in our parish. So too the swags of great hairy willowherb, 3m tall and leaning sharply, which are netted round now with a mesh of dead goosegrass: these stands of green speak of a season that is full, but no longer filling. Related: Why the elder is a gift of wonders Continue reading...