All the trees in Albert Park have now come fully into leaf. Elderflowers have been in bloom for much of May, and pigeons can often be seen pecking at them for long periods.

May has not been quite as bright as April, with more overcast days and even a little rain.

In the last week, many of the park’s bushes have been cut back, opening up views through the greenery on one side.

A tree has been planted in memory of Tom Robinson, who served as Park Keeper in Albert Park for over thirty years. He was often seen out and about on his tractor.

Elsewhere, a larger tree surrounded by shrubs shows a rich variety of greens and leaf shapes.

Most of the wildflowers have now been cut back, but one area remains untamed. Near the large beech with unsafe branches, where fencing was added a few years ago, an area of wild growth thrives, with elder, hawthorn, and brambles mingling.

Many afternoons and evenings, members of the bowls club can be seen playing on their well-clipped green. If you wish to try your hand at bowls, then go along on Friday evenings between 5 and 7pm and there will be somebody to help you.

Many of the trees in Albert Park have come into leaf during April.

Some leaves appear individually, while others emerge like a fountain.

The result is tender, fresh foliage.

There’s also been a lot of blossom — trees, lilacs, and roses are all in bloom.

A team from a tree company has been planting new trees and managing the older ones. Today, other contractors were zipping around on lawn mowers, cutting grass at great speed or strimming around tree trunks.

Some areas are being left for wildflowers, mostly bluebells, dandelions, buttercups and daisies.

Albert Park has enjoyed a lot of warm, sunny weather over the past week — today reached about 26°C.

Robins, blackbirds, wood pigeons, crows, tits, and magpies are commonly seen in the park, just as they are in nearby gardens. Red kites circle overhead.

I hope to capture some less common birds during the year. This nuthatch was seen in the park walking the tree.

The old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb has held true this year, with the month ending in sunshine and blue skies. I don’t have a picture of the lion, but here is the lamb — delicate white blossoms and the fresh green of new leaves.

Spring’s renewal is everywhere. Tiny leaves are unfurling throughout the park, and these bright green shoots show the steady return of new life.

The glow of Forsythia stands out against the statue of Prince Albert, the park’s most striking landmark.

The Abingdon Bowling Green appears to have been been freshly seeded and new grass covers The Green. A scarecrow rainbow flag has been flying over the green, and so far, no footprints have touched its surface.

At the lower end of the park, Narcissi have been in bloom for weeks, joined by a few blue and white bells.

Near the park’s maintenance compound, a tall tree is white with blossom and buzzing with bees. Yellow butterflies flit about, and Peacock butterflies, like the one pictured here, settle to feed on the flowers.

Before we get any further through our year in the Albert Park, can I remind you of the Park Rules:
* No Golf Practice
* Dogs to be kept under full control – Kindly place foul   matter in bins provided.
* No fires, fireworks, or BBQs.
* No cars, motorcycles, or cycling.

Today, the last day of February, began foggy. A man on a mini tractor did the rounds, replacing litter bags in Albert Park, and helping keep order.

The Prince Albert memorial can be seen among the trees in this picture.

Christs Hospital of Abingdon, the charity that run the park, have a tree map and a list of trees at http://www.ch-of-abingdon.org/albert-park/natural-history/. From the map I can see this tree, much admired for its early blossom, is called Pissards Plum or Prunus cerasifera ‘Pissardii’ in Latin.

Lots of people walk in the park. St Michael and All Saints Church can be seen behind in this picture.

Robins are to be heard around the park, with their clear rapid song. Here is one near a less vocal but more aerobatic Blue Tit.

There are also magpies in the park. One for sorrow, two for …

After the fog, there were blue skies and sunshine. Crocuses opened.

Daffodils stood tall.

Conduit House (once used for conduiting spring water) and Trinity Church in Conduit Road can be seen in this picture near the park entrance. In older postcards there was a longer view, along the east path of the park, of Trinity but that sightline is now hidden by evergreens.