Ashes to ashes

This is what happens when ash buds burst; they blow raspberries, which very quickly become small male flowers. I'm watching them while I still can; I'm very allergic to ash pollen, the sap, and even dust from ash keys. The wheatear is still here, and seems to have adopted the pile of stones in the cut as a base for making insectivorous forays. It is slightly less puffed out today, hopping less and flying more, to show off its eponymous white...ahem...rump. We also have a building/ parliament/ clamour/ storytelling of more than 50 rooks, mixed in with a few jackdaws.