Gardening with Nature in mind
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The weather has been settled and mild in recent days, quite a lot of cloud with occassional breaks of sunshine which is quite warm when it appears.
Temps have been around 11C at max.
Bird activity has moved up a gear, nesting is getting under way.
Recent sighting of a Pheasant in the garden was a surprise.
It seems to be finding food put out for wild birds.
Substantially warmer now, temps have reached double figures in past few days.
First Hawthorn leaves are showing on some plants in good sites.
A BlackCap was reported by my daughter Kath in the garden two days ago.
Other birds have been regular such as Robin, Wren, Blackbird m&f, Sparrow and Starling.
No sign of pond activity yet, making it later than last year when first spawn appeared on 14th February.
Ground frost this morning, thin cloud, fairly bright and cold.
Signs of better days with garden Crocus appearing in the neighbopurhood. Flowers of Japanese Quince and a white Camelia flower in one garden.
Snow of previous days is now thawed, almost no trace in garden.
Blue clear sky at this point, cold.
A grey looking Mouse, possibly the ubiquitous ‘house mouse’, Mus musculus although the ears were large and tail long, scurried under a pile of stone in the garden near some bird seed. The first one i have seen this year and a while before.
An afternoon visit to Lancing Ring. Still traces of snow and ice in sheltered places, the ground has become muddy in places.
Quite a lot of activity among a flock of about 10 Magpies, maybe courtship behaviours.
A small group of Long-tailed Tits Aegithalos caudatus called to each other in the bushes of the lower butterfly meadow.
Buds of Blackthorn flowers seem tightly shut.
Icy conditions continue although a slight thaw has occured.
The sky has blue patches and a little sun is helping the thaw.
The Goldfinches almost constantly on the Nyger seed are adding a splash of colour and life to the garden.
A Robin makes occassional visits to a makeshift feeding platform layed over the snowy ground. Fruit, bread and bird seed has been put there for any takers.
A substantial fall of snow overnight has left a good covering of around four inches on the ground.
The supply of feed has encouraged visits from A dunnock (Hedge Sparrow) and a Pied Wagtail in addition to the regular Wren, Robin, Blackbirds, Sparrows and Starlings..
We have formed a particular feeding relationship with a pair of Blackbirds, a male and female. They are fond of the raisins or sultanas we put out. It has become a demand and supply situation, they come and stand on a fence near the window and wait until some fruit is thrown to them.
Unpromising to start with a ground frost coating the ground and cars, soon disipated to a day with some sun. Temps were around 8-10C
Continuing mild with lighter winds today, despite feeling the symptoms of a winter cold I went out yesterday and cleared a few leaves from one of my garden contract jobs.
Small insects and spiders scuttled in every direction to hide away.
What is going on? it’s above 10C in daytime and frost has only just been recorded last night!
Wildlife is active, birds are pairing up when usually they would be shivering in sub arctic temperatures at this time!.
Spring flowers are apearing, celandines and violets, snowdrops are out. The garden narcissi and daffs are in bud!. It’s a very early spring.
The question is will it change suddenly, will the air flow move to blow from the north and plunge us into true winter. I think it soon will.
