There was a misty start to Saturday morning along the Ock Valley Walk.

In April, leaves have sprung, and there is a carpet of stinging nettles. They look fresh and not too tall.

There are also the vase-like flowers of Lords and Ladies. Insects are attracted by their smell and trapped by hairs in the tube to allow pollination.

Muntjac deer are sometimes seen in the woodland areas between the two rivers, but they can also be seen in gardens beyond the river, some of which have fences to keep them out from the vegetables and seedlings.

The heron was also there and seemed to stroke the water with one foot as he watched.

There are large numbers of blackbirds. The leaves of horse chestnut trees have sprouted and unfolded, and look so fresh and green. The upright flower buds will soon become blossoms.

At first, I could not see the Song Thrush, but its song was so clear that I looked and saw him high near the top of the leaf canopy. I frequently see thrushes in the Abbey Meadows on the ground, but this was the first I had seen on the Ock Valley Walk this year.

I also saw a blackcap for the first time.

Further on, in the fields near Tesco, a tractor was ploughing the ground on the other side of the River Ock. Half a dozen Kites followed and swooped down for creatures disturbed by the plough.