Spring has Sprung, Day 1

But the grass has not riz! (not very much anyway)
Frogs have spawned, Hazel and Alder catkins are opening, snowdrops have been and gone, early dafodils are emerging and Hawthorn is beginning to burst.
Despite the signs, the weather is stuck in late winter, temperatures remaining low and winds blowing cold air from the east.

Brimstone butterfly

Andy Brook reported a Brimstone butterfly in Ring Road, North Lancing earlier today.

Spring Butterfly

Katherine Hamblett (11) reported seeing a butterfly in the garden, probably a Red Admiral

More Spawning

At St Bernards Court near Lancing station, the 6 ft pond was crowded with 17 clumps of Frog spawn.

Frogs Legs

The weather is mild and light rain is falling.

There’s a jumble of Frogs legs and writhing bodies, the annual pilgrimage of male and female frogs has taken place in the small four foot round garden pond, females have layed at least five clumps of spawn and males have come to lock together with the females in an embrace known as amplexus. From this position the males fertilise the eggs as the female spawns . We have counted a dozen individuals but it may be more.

The Woods in Snow

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Originally uploaded by D^V1D.

Taken in snowy weather of February 2005

Snow on the Clump

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Originally uploaded by D^V1D.

Not this years snow but a great shot anyway.
Part of a ‘Flickr’ collection by David

More Weather

Ground frost overnight, the pond continues to be ice bound. Some spawn was removed from the pond and placed in a tank in the shed.

Weather

Very cold days recently. Brief snow flurries at times.
Pond is frozen over and Frogspawn is locked in ice.
Further heavier snow is forcast.