Snowdrops in Hawthorn Dene

Walked in Hawthorn Dene this afternoon. Snowdrops are magnificent, lying in great drifts on the south facing slopes of the wood.

Saw a tiny goldcrest foraging in the hawthorn hedges.

webcams and nest boxes

Four webcams set up in my garden, in the pond, on the bird feeder and in two nest boxes. These can be seen on the web at:

http://hwcam1.camstreams.com .

A Great Tit is roosting at night in the 1" hole nest box and a robin has been investigating the open fronted nestbox.

There is very little activity in the pond although a frog has been spotted.

Geese flying north

Beautiful warm day with blue skies and sunshine. Saw 100+ geese flying north over the house in a huge 'v', calling loudly all the time.

Four months since I saw the same sight in the opposite direction (see October 30th 2006)

Not spring just yet.

Spring has been put on hold. five days of snow, rain and strong winds with temperatures at or below freezing. Despite that a pair of great tits have been seen inspecting the nest box in the garden!

Early morning walk along the old railway

Walked 2 miles along the disused railway track near home this morning. Glorious weather, frosty and sunny.
Spotted over 20 robins singing in trees and bushes along the route and also a flock of redwings foraging in the hawthorn bushes.
Lots of hazel with 'lamb's tail' male catkins in the bank side. The tiny red female flowers are only just coming out.
The pond next to the foorpath was still frozen over at 10.00 a.m.