Sunday 24th May 1981
From a Nature Diary, writer unknown:
24th May [1981]. Went to Stourhead Gardens. Rhododendrons out & azaleas with their very strong perfume. The colours of some trees were amazing – not just red or gold but henna & red & mixture of all these. Bluebells were still out in abundance & primroses & Lady’s Smock (cuckoo flower). Though noticed red clover blooming on the way didn’t actually notice any in the Gardens. Goldilocks & Buttercups everywhere as were campion and speedwells. Found beautiful yellow pimpernel and saw not 3 feet away a tree creeper, quite oblivious to us, climbing in its creeping mouse like fashion up a large exotic tree. There was Tufted Ducks on the Lake and robins everywhere. Saw the Chinese Dove Tree (Handkerchief tree) in flower, really beautiful. Flowers are in fact tiny but these are hidden by snowy white bracts which look like doves or handkerchieves. Noticed stitchworts keeping flowered guard on exits, and yellow hammer nearby, hammered by our car. Rain kept off – just about.