IN these troubled times it is somewhat reassuring to know that at least the natural world appears to be functioning relatively normally. With spring in full swing, birdsong is increasing in volume and it is now time for our summer visiting birds to begin to arrive.
A RELATIVELY mild, and somewhat soggy, February encouraged many frogs to begin spawning a little earlier than usual.
IN the avian world, one of the most elaborate courtship displays is performed by a pair of great crested grebes. At this time of year these elegant birds can be seen indulging in these displays along the river Thames and on any reasonably large lakes.
RATHER like us, the heron is very much a creature of habit, having two or three favoured fishing spots which he faithfully adheres to.
COURTESY of a wayward jetstream, on February 18, Storm Eunice roared in from the Atlantic and proved to be the most damaging and disruptive for more than thirty years. In fact, we endured three damaging named storms in just a week. Rather like buses, we wait for ages then three come along at once!
VERY late during a blustery afternoon on February 8, I heard my first song thrush of the year, perched at the summit of a lofty oak. He was not yet in full voice, just warming up so early in the year but it was so good to hear him.
JANUARY was unusually dry, so will February live up to its old reputation whereby farmers used to call the second month 'February-fill-dyke' alluding to the fact that the month was often very wet.
IN Britain we have three species of woodpecker, namely the green, great spotted and lesser spotted. The green woodpecker is the largest, while the lesser spotted is only sparrow-sized.
IN A recent nature notes, I expressed surprise at seeing a raven flying over my house in the direction of Wimbledon common on December 12. Since then, a pair of ravens has been spotted over Putney Heath.
A DULL, dreary winter's day. Not a breath of wind ruffles the surface of the sluggish Thames, shining like black treacle. An icy chill seeps into every corner and crevice. Contrasting sharply with the dark water, gulls loaf, hunched up, their plump white forms reminiscent of a plateful of sugary meringues.
