Signs of Spring

[The Black Rabbit]

I think many of these wee beasties will disappear (temporarily of course) this weekend, as we get cloudy and MUCH colder for a couple of days...

Doug

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

Today - blackthorn flowering !!!!

that's it knew i'd missed something out from my trip to Cornwall - there was lots of blackthorn in flower! and lesser celendine...

Lots of primroses and violets out in my garden here too. Birds singing away an dlovely and warm...let's hope TBR's prediction dosn't come too true!

[harasseddad]

Here in Norfolk I've seen the following in flower:

Winter Aconite, Snowdrop, Primrose, Blackthorn, Periwinkle, Forget me not, Coltsfoot, Lesser Celendine and Violets.

But then people here have seen active Adders, Grass Snakes and Hedgehogs this week, along with Red Admirals, Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks and Brimstones.

[witham]

We have pussy willow buds bursting open, the Hydrangas have green leaves on, some of the crocus flowers are out, have seen Starlings feeding young, the house Sparrows under our front eves are sitting, the old weeping willow tree near our pond which we gave it's major 5 yearly prune last autumn, down to almost a bare trunk, has new shoots growing out of the top (thanks goodness)

[shei111]

Hello yes we too have primroses out and violets and polyanthus in bloom, the honeysuckle as leaves open also so does the clematis. I bought quite alot of osteospermums last year in small pots they are now about 1 foot high and still in bloom when I went to the local garden centre this morning I was talking to the owner and I told him he said its probaly because we only live 1 mile from the coast, also last year I put in some astericus and they are still in flower .we have been having severe frosts this week and he said he recorded -8 last night in snape in suffolk but we are having nice sunny days.

[RobSutton]

Well our snowdrops are out:



But that's just about it - we recorded a ground temperature of -11.2C last night, the frost has hardly shifted all day despite continuous sunshine, and the local lake (Malham Tarn) has been frozen solid all day. Spring?

[PMG]

Originally Posted by RobSutton

Well our snowdrops are out:



But that's just about it - we recorded a ground temperature of -11.2C last night, the frost has hardly shifted all day despite continuous sunshine, and the local lake (Malham Tarn) has been frozen solid all day. Spring?

Thats some fair going Rob for lack of heat! I can just imagine how its looked up there today - crystalline and chilly and no doubt hundreds of folks taking theirselves for a healthy walk, ride, run etc! Pennington was filling up with folks something shocking as I finished my stint at dinnertime and made good my escape

My Ranger in the Hide session this morning was a very cold affair but recorded lots of long tailed tits, two male brambling, male gt spotted pecker, all the usual finches, two willow tits, plenty cormorants, 5 wigeon, sev goosander, 5 snipe, plenty tufted and pochard and a sprinkling of teal to name but a few

Pauline

[Deer Stalker]

Wood ants very active in the New Forest both days this weekend.

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by PMG

Thats some fair going Rob for lack of heat! I can just imagine how its looked up there today - crystalline and chilly and no doubt hundreds of folks taking theirselves for a healthy walk, ride, run etc! Pennington was filling up with folks something shocking as I finished my stint at dinnertime and made good my escape

My Ranger in the Hide session this morning was a very cold affair but recorded lots of long tailed tits, two male brambling, male gt spotted pecker, all the usual finches, two willow tits, plenty cormorants, 5 wigeon, sev goosander, 5 snipe, plenty tufted and pochard and a sprinkling of teal to name but a few

Pauline

You are right it was a gorgeous day - the place was heaving with people, the car park in Malham was full so they opened an overflow one in the field opposite. I think it was even colder last night and tonight (Monday) is going the same way. It's not only the Tarn that's frozen some of the waterfalls in the area are partially frozen too. Sounds like you had good day - if you've got to work on a weekend (I did too) it's nice to be doing something you enjoy.

[dartmoordreamer]

supposed to be putting a roof on a house besides the grand union canal today but spent three hours watching a pair of coots attaching the begginnings of a floating nest platform to an alder treemuch more interesting

[tufftie]

Despite it being overcast this morning - it feels really spring like..warm and birds singing and the odd bumblebee (not sure which one)...and bluetits going in and out of the nestbox under my window

[therealbobbo]

I dunnop about spring,I was clearing up some leaves for someone,yestereday,and I got stung,by a wasp,now I have a nicely swollen hand!

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by therealbobbo

I dunnop about spring,I was clearing up some leaves for someone,yestereday,and I got stung,by a wasp,now I have a nicely swollen hand!

Try some lime juice on it that will help a bit - it can be a few days for the swelling to go down. They are out very early this year aren't they?

[Paul mabbott]

First frog in the 'pond' on Saturday and the 'pond' was full of them yesterday. This is despite continuous frosty nights. Bizarrely there is not much water in the pond so I may have to fill it!

Saw my first Bombus terrestris yesterday and the second today.

[Jez]

I've noticed some time back that the Elders are in leaf and the hedge rows up my lane are starting to unfurl, theres buds on my lilac and my goosegogs and raspberry bush too, just hope i get a crop this year?! I've spent some of my morning watching the courting rituals between a pair of Robins! Pulmunaria are doing well and have my first blue Anenome is in flower but L.Celandine around these parts are bearly displaying though theres a thick hue of Ramson leaves up in the Wood.

Itching now to get back outside and see what else there is to be found

[ChrisJB]

Heard my first Curlew of the season back on the moors yesterday, perhaps a week or so early.

Regards, Chris

[tufftie]

There's been a Red Admiral fluttering around the garden and a big bumble bee (not sure what sort). Lots of leaves are starting to come through on the trees now too

[WithNature]

Saw my first Peacock Butterfly of the year today, 30th March. In Aylesbury.

[monkey]

I have got bluebells out in the garden they started about 2 weeks ago but quite a few now - this is early isn't it?
Linda

[Geoff F]

Got a few early fuchsia flowers here, S. Devon.

[witham]

Our ornamental Cherry Blossom is at last bursting, more often than not when it's out we get very strong winds which blows most of it off but hopefully we've had them by now as it surely can't get much windier here I hope, although snow is forecast for Sunday again so we can't win

[Geoff F]

Saw 2 swallows today. Prawle Point, S. Devon. So perhaps this should be renamed Signs of Summer now.

By the look of the forecast they have got here a bit too early, but at least they made a good crossing of the Channel.

[Mr Mag00]

2 swallows here in dorset too!! my first this year

[wildferring]

Plenty of pear and cherry blossom in Sussex today. Driving up to Loxwood this morning plenty of gorse, and blackthorn (I think) in flower. Male & female blackbird nest-building in an elder tree in the garden; also, one bumblebee. Bluebells coming into bloom - unfortunately the spanish variety - dug many out last spring but missed some. Silver birch in leaf bud. But snow flakes likely tonight/tomorrow so back to winter pursuits - or lack of them.

[Cheryl]

Originally Posted by Mr Mag00

2 swallows here in dorset too!! my first this year

I saw my first swallows today as well!! At Cutmill Lake in Surrey. There was also a Grebe sitting on her nest.