OK, I know we're still in the depths of winter, with much to come, but spring is waiting in the wings! It will be great to hear from you any details of these first signs be it early nesting birds, the first blossom, or a butterfly venturing forth in weak sunshine. If you have dates from previous years for comparison, these will certainly add interest, but we'll gradually build these up in years to come. Look forward to hearing from you - I'm sure it won't be long!
Watch out for swifts
Daffodils and hyacinths are peeping through - a wonderful sight.
Following on from the recent prolonged cold spell i spoke to one lady who had a Tortoiseshell butterfly fly into her house!? - perhaps the change in the weather stimulated it to wake from its winter slumber. Although i'd imagine it will struggle to find a decent source of nectar this early on.
Also worth a mention, we have reports of sparrowhawks nest building. They usual time there nesting to coincide with the abundance of fledgelings around July time. Perhaps the increase in hungry and lerthagic birds due to the recent weather is the driving force behind such early starts for this species? Interesting observations though!
We have just found a very lerthargic peacock butterfly lying on the restaurant car park floor, where we had just had lunch. I have brought it home and put it in a aired container in the dark and it has started fluttering it's wings. Has anybody any advice what else I can do? Food?
On a walk on the west coast yesterday I noticed that there are already a few Guillemots and Razorbills on their summer nesting ledges, put a smile on my face:)
Jimbob
Brighton.
This week I have constantly heard dunnocks in full song.
Woodpeckers drumming.
Today I watched a male greenfinch, feeding a female greenfinch from the feeder perch above her.
An egret changed my life!
I have had to remove 2 drunk Bumble Bees from a greenhouse full of flowering Hyacinths yesterday and I have seen Snowdrops coming up.
Hello eveyone,
Woke this morning looked out the window to see a Kestrel fly though looking for breakfast ! missed everything ! Had a walk around and filled the feeders and noticed snowdrops flowering, didn't see them come up lol, both corkscrew willows, ornamentle cerry and apple trees all buding up ! even the day lillies are pushing threw. Birds all seem to be pairing up also, so all looking good here 'BIG SMILE'.
Neil
If it aint broken, dont fix it !.... all good things come to those who wait !
Walking along this morning, I was aware how loud all the birds sounded this morning. It sounded just like a spring day.
My peacock butterfly is still surviving.
All the snowdrops have opened around here (E. Sussex) over the weekend. They look lovely but this morning we have sleet and it is colder, so I think we still have some time to wait for a real Spring.