March
Weather Stats
Max Temp = 12.6 deg C Min Temp = -3.1 deg c
Max Wind 28.4 mph Max Rain in 24 hr Period = 21.2mm
Max Rain in 1 hr Period = 6.2 mm Total Rain For Month = 71mm
Diary
29th. The evenings are now lasting longer as the clocks leap forward to BST. This change of time was marked superbly with cracking daytime temps and three consecutively sunny days which lead to the garden furniture making an appearance from under thier wintertime covers. On uncovering the chairs I disturbed a ladybird of the yellow variety which I did not get chance to photograph and identify. The maximum temps (12.6 deg C) which have been reached several times over the week has had a dramatic effect on the plants as more and more re-act to the warming of the soil. Many of the trees, shrubs and bulbs have been slowly showing more and more of the promise of things to come. I shall try to take some pictures of the plants in question over this weekend as the good weather is supposed to return by the weekend.
Good news on the nesting front as I spotted a wren acting suspicious around the purpose built hay rack that was placed on the shed exterior wall in the hope of giving a home to Wrens after they were spotted a few years ago making a nest in a neighbours hanging basket. I have now trained the roving cordless camera near to this nest building so i can check on progress. I hope this nest is used as the male builds quite a few before the female gives one of them the nod!
19th. The forecast was accurate and with a few hours passing by, the hail turned to snow which led to the garden looking more wintry than at any other time this year. I was hoping for a total white out on waking this morning but the distant sound of cars on the road outside shattered any hopes of this. As I write this at 15:00 the snow is again falling although the rapid melting of last nights flurry has not helped any new bursts stick before it has melted. This picture was taken at about 18:30 on the 18th. The snow continued to fall when I shut the blinds at 23:00 but sadly it did not stick around and the garden shows few signs of the wintry spell although some plants and the frogs showed strong signs of dislike.
A decision has been made to keep our Cat Ferly in doors for the upcoming breeding season, a decision that she does not like but I think she has got used to more as each year passes. The hunting instinct rises in them at this time and a bird in her mouth is not something I like to endure. I have to say that since we decided this was the best course of action over 3 years ago we have not had a single bird brought in. I am aware however that she may not bring them in but leave them elsewhere but the occasional mouse is still delivered through her cat flap which leads me to think that i am managing to lessen the impact she undoubtedly makes. The down side to this imprisonment is twofold as my allergy to her goes through the roof and other cats soon move into "her" gaff which leads to continued vigilance to scare them off.
18th. The weather has taken the much talked about decline as heavy hail showers and day time temps that have not reached above 3 deg have taken control. The warmth of the proceeding days which reached 11.3 deg on 10th lead to breeding being spotted in the garden. A pair of Robins mated early in the day on the 11th and the male was spotted today feeding the Female with some mealworm today on the 18th. This behaviour leads me to think that we have two pairs of Robins nesting locally whilst I am sure they are not nesting within the garden boundary, sadly. This mating and feeding is a real glimpse of how Robins behave at set times during the breeding season. When a pair of Robins are sure of their partner and a nest site has been chosen the Male constantly offers the Female food offerings but whilst she may beg like a young bird would, she will never accept the food until she is both ready and that the nest is fully complete and ready for laying of the eggs. When this criteria is fulfilled she will accept the food with head lowered and wings quivering like a young begging for food. So with this in mind and the fact that I saw mating on the 11th and feeding on the 18th I am hoping we have a couple of families of robins to come.
A Blackbird was also spotted carrying nest material on the 15th into next doors conifer hedge so things are also looking good for a Blackbird family. In the past it often seems that early nesting by the Blackbird are not to successful due to different reasons but with a little luck that may change this year.
Frogspawn in the pond has increased to at least 7 small blobs and with 27 frogs present most nights. The drop in temperture will put any more spawning on hold for the time being but I hope when things warm up again so will the activity in the pond. I did watch the other day as the female laid her eggs whilst a male clung onto her back. he then released his sperm onto them and latter that day the clump took on a more normal looking frogspawn pattern with the clump swelling in size along with the formation of the clear gel and the floating qualities.
Going back to the weather and if the forecast is correct we may well get snow either tonight or tomorrow and as out garden stands at about 750 foot above sea level it is a distinct possibility.
For anybody interested I have updated the information pages regarding photography and optics just to show more of the equipment I use.
9th. A mention of the Frogs is all it took to bring a new milestone to the garden. I have never had "home" grown frogspawn in the pond before having only rescued frogs and imported spawn placed in the pond. Today this has changed and my wildlife garden has at least offered a new home to some spawn. This new development really does show that we can all have a direct and positive impact in our gardens when features like ponds supply a real lifeline for the falling natural ponds in our wider landscapes. The enjoyment of this small oasis that I built is enjoyed with great curiosity by anybody, of all ages that happen to visit the garden or look over the fence and pear into this pool of immense life forms. If you are looking to add any one feature to your garden to bring in many forms of wildlife I would always recommend a pond...no matter what the size. The pond attracts all sorts of Bird, Mammal, Amphibian, Insects and just about anything else that needs water...and what doesn't need water?
The spawn was noticed at first light but Mandy grabbed a few images of the pond after work tonight.
24 Frogs as the pond bathes in sun The gardens very first "home" grown spawn
A chance was also taken as the light faded to take a shot of this Snakeshead Fritiliary that I planted in the lawn about a week ago. This individual is more advanced than the resident ones in the garden and I hope to get another better image of this plant with it's nodding head at the weekend.
8th. I am still waiting impatiently for the garden to jump into life as the lack of frog spawn and derth of visits to the 4 nestboxes dotted around the garden seem to take forever. I am enjoying the increased bird song though with a first real song from the Blackbird from around the garden taking place on the evening of the 6th. The door was opened wide to outside to allow the melodious warble fill the kitchen. Mandy and I both stood wedged in the doorway listening to him proclaim his turf. This lovely time of year was heightened when a Song Thrush decided to test his vocal chords for a short time. I have become more apprectiative of the Song Thrush song as sometimes when out birding I have never really connected with the repetitive notes but since it's closer connection to the garden over the last few years it really is now a cracking song to have on your doorstep, although the close proximity of it's songpost to houses may offend some of the residents.......who cares...lets hear it!
The Female Woodpecker is still visiting the sunflower feeder and it seems about 08:30 is the regular time slot. I do hope she hangs around as it would be really nice to see such a species for a long length of time. Who knows she might even bring a mate.