I'm desperately missing.... - Page 2

badgerwatcher · #26 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 09:56 AM

And today is lovely and gently sunny, with a beautiful dawn, and fresh clean air.

Susie · #27 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speckled wood

This time of year can be tedious insect wise, but I don't really mind, I am just counting off the weeks 6 weeks time it will be mid february and the first signs of life may be about. 8 weeks time and it will be the end of the first week in March and providing conditions are mild and there is some sunshine there is a good chance that something will be about maybe a Brimstone or a Small Tortoiseshell. Go forward another week and it is mid march and something else might be about and from that point on so long as there is some sunshine and the weather is mild you will start to see more and more insects.

Thanks for that, Speckled Wood, you made me smile.

It is so grey and soggy and horrible out there at the moment that it feels like it will never be warm and sunny again but you have reminded me that it is only really a matter of weeks before interesting things start happening again. I do miss it.

Gill Catton · #28 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 11:05 AM

That's one of the things I was very jealous of in Madagascar that they have invertebrates active all year round....
I miss them and wildflowers particularly because try as i might, I just can't rustle up such a passionate interest in Fungi (sorry John) and I particularly enjoying helping and learning with animal and ID on this forum and I can't help with fungi and haven't yet developed the interest to learn (it will come in time but at the moment fungi is well and truly in my 'too hard' file in my head. So the forum will be even more fun for me again when these things reappear

aeshna5 · #29 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 03:10 PM

Definitely sunshine- it is so grim outside at moment- dark, grey + wet at 3pm!

smartie · #30 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 03:35 PM

It really is grim, isn't it. Badgerwatcher's optimism does her credit

but I can't bring myself to share it. I just had a look at my pond and it is practically overflowing on to the path. Some of the fish are swimming about near the surface, which they really shouldn't be doing at this time of year. They are obviously confused too. If there is any more rain they may find themselves in the shrubbery.

cherrybee · #31 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgerwatcher

One look at that grin on his public profile, and you can see exactly what his poor old mum has to put up with, can't you?

Yes I just looked that is a really wicked looking grin and the look in the eyes look even more wicked

Susie · #32 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherrybee

Yes I just looked that is a really wicked looking grin and the look in the eyes look even more wicked

Bless him, he's a little cherub really!

I know there are birds to watch at this time of year, and I do enjoy watching them but it isn't the same for me as seeing butterflies, moths, dragonflies, etc. I didn't really how much I had got into seeing the insects over the past year and how much I would miss them now.

Still, at least we know that spring will be along soon and we have it all to look forward to.

matt_xyz · #33 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 05:16 PM

Looking on the bright side, if the insects didn't disappear in autumn/winter we wouldn't appreciate them as much in Spring.

I do enjoy the seasons, although only when the weather is 'seasonal'. If this weather continues, we'll be seeing signs of spring within 3-4 weeks. That's good I suppose, but also slightly worrying. What happened to winter?

Matt

jennyb · #34 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

What happened to winter?

Matt

Don't speak too soon!

Jenny

PS I've got daffodils coming out.

badgerwatcher · #35 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 06:22 PM

I have a ladybird who is living in my office for the time being, and sits on the window sill watching me as I type. I think we both appreciate the company.
Like you, Gill, fungi? What's that all about? I study all the pictures as they are posted- they all look the same! I'm sure eventually they will start looking different if I keep staring at them!

John · #36 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

Looking on the bright side, if the insects didn't disappear in autumn/winter we wouldn't appreciate them as much in Spring.

I do enjoy the seasons, although only when the weather is 'seasonal'. If this weather continues, we'll be seeing signs of spring within 3-4 weeks. That's good I suppose, but also slightly worrying. What happened to winter?

Matt

And therein lies the problem. Whilst in Spain I couldn't believe the lack of Wildfowl and talking to John Butler (guide for Donana) he stated that the migration from the north just hasn't taken place yet.

I reckon we are also suffering over here also. The Thrush Flocks are very spasmodic at the moment and also the Bramblings. As far as i can see the wildfowl numbers are down also. Whilst in Norfolk I did see fair numbers of Pink feet but I don't know if it was me but the Skeins that I saw seemed to be far few than I usually see.

The berry crops must have done ok also as the Waxwings are very low in numbers here.

I have a friend that goes shooting and parts of his lands that he goes to is covered either by rape or berry laden trees. The berries remain untouched and he hasn't seen a Redwing or Fieldfare yet.

I have seen a few but nowhere near as many as I would normally have seen by now.

What are your experiences like, as I think this weather is beginning to have knock on effects around Europe and even further afield.

John

mrs fish · #37 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 06:47 PM

I don't know if it because it is mild but I saw a pair of swans fly over to-day and I don't normally see them until spring and then this evening some ducks went over the house quacking like they do when the males are chasing a lone female, I said to them, it's only January the 8th

glsammy · #38 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 06:49 PM

As John said, the usual sightings of Redwing, Fieldfare etc. are well down. I've only seen two flocks of Redwings, and a few odd Fieldfares. This time last year they were all over the place.

matt_xyz · #39 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 07:16 PM

I was told earlier that some bird food manufacturers are struggling as people haven't been buying wild bird food in the same quantities that they would normally in December/January. I certainly haven't been, my bird feeders are lasting weeks at the moment whereas the sunflower and nyjer seeds normally run out every 3-4 days.

Matt

glsammy · #40 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 07:22 PM

Yes Matt, our garden bird numbers are very low. It all points the same way, there's abundant wild food about, the ground's not frozen, they don't need to come to us.

Wild-Woman · #41 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 09:14 PM

Think I'm suffering with wildlife cold-turkey. I said hello to a bluebottle today. Good job no one was around!

Now you lot know though.

Jules

Susie · #42 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 09:20 PM

I read that we are likely to have a cold snap in the next couple of weeks so don't count your daffodils until they are opened ... the birds could be coming in from the fields and woods and be very grateful for the food put out for them.

FungiJohn · #43 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Think I'm suffering with wildlife cold-turkey. I said hello to a bluebottle today. Good job no one was around!

Now you lot know though.

Jules

So .... What did the bluebottle say Jules

I often talk to my fungi ... smile please you're going on WAB

Garden Carpet · #44 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

So .... What did the bluebottle say Jules

I often talk to my fungi ... smile please you're going on WAB

Phew!!!! I thought I was the only one to do that.. I talk to the bumbles and butterflies when they fly into the conservatory.. the spider in the bathroom and his rellies in the bedroom. I talk to the birds in the garden, especialy the blackbird who sometimes sits on the top of the fence only a couple of feet from me..... and please.. if you dont mind me getting this off me chest... I talk to the moths I catch to photograph.... please... let me stay on WAB... I promise to try not to do all these things!!!
jaki.... grovelling and snivelling... sniff!

badgerwatcher · #45 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 11:11 PM

It's ok, Jaki, I thank the plants for flowering.

Garden Carpet · #46 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgerwatcher

It's ok, Jaki, I thank the plants for flowering.

Yep... I knew it.. another one just like me... heheh

Wild-Woman · #47 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

So .... What did the bluebottle say Jules

I often talk to my fungi ... smile please you're going on WAB

He said, 'Huh!, I see, when there's nothing else around, THEN you'll talk to me!!'

Jules

smartie · #48 (**permalink**) 09-01-2007, 08:45 AM

I've just come in from having a serious word with the muntjac in my flower bed. Do you mean there are people who don't talk to the wildlife? How strange.