Sunday 19th April 2026
Newsletter No.4 from EBBRAG
Jeremy Cuff writes:
SEEING GREEN AROUND HOME FARM & THE LOCAL SURROUNDS
Spring is well and truly here in Boreham, with green shoots all around, and although today (Sunday 19th) has been glorious in the sunshine, we have recently had the odd cold day to remind us that Winter is not far behind in the rear-view mirror.
As well as the fresh green of all the new growth in the hedgerows, fields and trees, here’s a couple of “Green” species to look out for at Home Farm and the local surrounds.
Greenfinches Return To Home Farm
Greenfinches were once common garden birds, but in recent years they’ve suffered huge declines, which has been largely attributed to the effects of the Trichomonosis parasite that’s spread by the birds visiting unclean bird feeders.
In the last decade, they’ve been rarely seen in the area of Home Farm, but following some occasional sightings last year, they’re making a real comeback this year and can be seen again around the hedgerows bordering Home Farm.
Look out for the resplendent males in breeding plumage calling from prominent perches around the field edges.
Let’s hope that their return is permanent.
Flying Now: The Green Hairstreak’s Flight Season Has Begun
The Green Hairstreak is one of our early Spring butterfly species, usually emerging from their pupae in late March and into April.
They especially favour chalk download, areas of scrubby grassland and also hedgerows, and can sometimes be spotted alighting on Hawthorn bushes and Bramble thickets.
A visitor to nearby Battlesbury Hill reported seeing 12 of these diminutive butterflies on the 8th April, uploading news of his sightings to Wiltshire Butterfly Conservation’s website thus confirming that their flight season is now underway.
( www.wiltshire-butterflies.org.uk )
Unsuitable developments such as the one proposed at Home Farm, Boreham, pose a threat to the future of both of these species, so please join in the fight to prevent this becoming a disastrous reality.
info@ebbrag.com
www.ebbrag.com