Nature Notes
NATURE NOTES
An uninspiring two months, as far as nature is concerned, and becoming more of the norm with climate change. A lot more rain than we would like, with a few sunny days and reasonable temperatures much of the time. We have had some frosts and a little snow but not quite what UK wildlife has evolved to cope with. The restrictions on movement due to the Coronavirus pandemic has kept the countryside quieter in traffic terms but many more are now walking the lanes and footpaths (with new dogs) in an effort to get some exercise in their local area. Most verges, fields and woodland have been pretty dormant with quite a few locations having standing water for longer than normal, especially in the last month or so. Many farming activities curtailed due to not being able to get machinery on the land although some hedge cutting has been taking place recently.
There is a sign that things are beginning to stir, mainly due to the milder conditions, and Winter Aconite, Snowdrop and Primrose now showing some movement. One of the early harbingers of Spring, the Catkin, which is normally beginning to be evident at this time of the year does not seem to want to show itself yet but keep a look out, it will be here soon.
Insect life has, predictably, been very quiet but on sunny days occasional Bumble Bees have been seen in gardens.
The damp and mild weather has led to an explosion of Mole activity in some areas, much to the displeasure of gardeners and such. It is always a good time to be looking for the larger mammals such as Muntjac which are often more visible at the ends of the day now the deciduous leaves have all gone, their foot prints can often be seen on muddy paths and tracks and several have been seen in gardens around the village recently. Most birds are still concentrating on getting enough food and surviving the Winter, but the Rooks in several village Rookeries are beginning to pair up close to the old nests. The most attractive of the Crow (Corvid) family, the Jay has been seen in a garden or two. Normally the shiest of birds, the presence of Jays is normally only noted on hearing their raucous calls to each other. Several skeins of Pink footed Geese have been seen flying over recently, up to 200 strong. They spend the nights on the coast, mainly the Wash, but fly inland to feed in fields during the day. A good place to see these Geese is on the Wash at Dawn and dusk where vast numbers can be seen taking off from or landing on the mud flats. Buzzards, as usual, are searching around for carrion and can be seen and heard every day over the village and surrounding countryside, with worms being high on the list. I think we are all looking forward to the better weather coming and with the thought now of Spring on the distant horizon our mood will lighten more and more as the days pass. Let us hope the pandemic will eventually allow us to get more from the countryside before Spring comes and goes.