SKYLARK SUE’S REFLECTIONS OF NATURE 

February 2014

 

Oak tree against blue sky on the first day of February 2014

Female blackbird and house sparrow at a feeder



Female sparrow

February started bright, though windy and although a few birds were around the garden there still seemed to be an abundance of natural food, so we were seeing less birds than we usually do at this time of the year. On the 2nd the feeders were scrubbed and cleaned: it is important to do this regularly to prevent the spread of disease. We were particularly pleased to see a goldfinch in the apple tree, as although these handsome finches are becoming much more widespread in gardens than they were a few years ago, they are still rare visitors to our garden. Also, when they do come, they feast on the fat blocks, ignoring the niger seed which is meant to be a favourite food. This year, though, we intend to plant some teasels, so maybe they will encourage these birds. Also in the garden were house sparrows, blackbird, wood pigeons and a pair of robins, and there were blue tits in the oak tree across the road.

Dunnock

The 3rd of February brought a magpie and some collared doves to join the blackbirds and sparrows. The next few days saw heavy rain and high winds. On the 5th we recorded an inch of rain in the gauge, and there was flooding all around the Bishop’s Stortford area. Further afield, vast areas of the Somerset Levels were under water, while at Dawlish the stretch of railway that runs along the coast disappeared into the sea when the embankment collapsed.  The West Country seemed to be particularly badly hit by the heavy rain and flooding. There were a pair of dunnocks in the garden the following day. Despite their, at first glance, drab colouring, a closer look reveals that these are delightful, subtly-shaded birds in their grey and brown speckled plumage. They sing sweetly, too. The sky was brilliant blue, highlighting the delicate colouring of the woodpigeons in the oak tree. On the 8^th February, I saw one of the brightest rainbows I have seen for years stretching across some fields in Harlow near a garden centre. It was magnificent, and it was a double bow. We had a magpie in the apple tree the same day. These birds are much bolder than they were even a couple of years ago.

A magnificent rainbow

Flooding at Harlow Mill

Flooding at Harlow Mill

On the 9th of February I went to investigate the river levels at Harlow Mill – the water was pouring through the weir in a torrent, the noise was tremendous. It had burst its banks and was surging along – brown and muddy rather than the usual clear, sparkling water. On a nearby grassy bank, however, there was a beautiful display of snowdrops, a sign that spring will soon be with us.

 

Early sign of Spring

 

Grey squirrel on the feeder



The squirrel had a noticeable white stripe around its middle

There was a grey squirrel was in the garden on the 10th. I hadn’t seen one around lately so presumably, as with the birds, squirrels are finding plenty of natural food around at the moment. The squirrel sat on the fence for at least ten minutes, and had an unusual white stripe of fur around its back, just above the legs, which will make it easier to recognise if it returns. All the usual birds – robins, wood pigeons, sparrows and others were down on the feeders. Later, we had a brief hailstorm, covering the ground and the glass of the conservatory with icy stones.

 

The glass roof was covered in icy hail

 

Long-tailed tit in the bushes

 

Robin singing sweetly in the Town Park, Harlow



Glossy-green-headed mallard at the Town Park, Harlow

Moorhen in the reeds at the Town Park, Harlow

 A trip to the town park on the 12th was feast of bird song, with robins, tits and blackbirds attempting to out sing each other and it was good to see long tailed tits, which have always been one of my favourite birds. There were mallards, moorhens and coots on the lake. However, it was very windy, which made it feel cold, so we didn’t stay for long. A return visit to Harlow Mill on February 16th showed the river still swollen, running high and fast, though beginning to ease a little. Many plants are coming into bloom in the garden, such as hellebore, crocus and mini daffodils.

Still flooded, one week later, at Harlow Mill

A robin poses in the garden



Male blackbird

By the 19th, much calmer, brighter conditions had arrived, and there were more birds round the feeder pole including robins, great tits, blackbirds, house sparrows and collared doves. A handsome male blackbird was enjoying the food on the feeders the following day. A beautiful sunny day on the 22nd showed the opening spring flowers to perfection – crocuses were blooming in the garden, and the cotoneaster was showing off its orange/yellow flowers. Daffodils were also in bloom.

 

 

 

 

Crocuses opening wide in the sun

 

Cotoneaster

 

By February 26th it was noticeable that blackthorn had fully opened everywhere, and its starry white flowers shone from the hedgerows. It seems earlier this year; it’s always a welcome harbinger of spring. Daisies, dandelion and various other small wild flowers were in bloom along roadside verges – the new policy of not mowing verges is paying dividends. The council save money, but also save the wild flowers as they can set seed, meaning the verges will be colourful for most of the year. The weather has been sunny and feeling spring-like of late, and birds such as blackbirds and robins already seem to be pairing up and seeking out nest sites. We must hope there isn’t an icy spell later.

To sum up, this has been, on the whole, a mild month, though with several days of heavy rain and strong winds. There have been blue sky and sunshine days, too, which seem to be fooling the birds into early nesting behaviour.

Collared dove on the bird table

 

 

Wood pigeon illuminated in the oak tree