April '11

Weather This Month

Max Temp = 23.4°C   Min Temp = 0.8   Mean Temp = 10.6°C

Max Wind = 16 mph   

Day's Of Rain Over 2mm =6    Rain 24hr Max = 12.4mm   Rain For Month = 32.8 mm

Diary

26th. Wow after much looking up at the sky and with only the odd sighting in the valley it was remiss of me that I forgot to mention Spring has finally sprung as the much awaited return of the House Martins finally arrived on the Sunday the 24th. Three birds were spotted from the garden by my father and it was great to hear them back buzzing as they took angular routes through the sky.

Swifts up next....I am going with May the 20th.

25th. No increase in record temps for April as the norm of 18.6ºC  highs has been evident on several days now. The sun still shines very strongly though and it is hard work just sat in the sun as I am aware of the area around my face that received treatment that leaves me susceptible to sun burn.

I found time to look back at my records and note that this April as previously mentioned has been markedly warm with the previous high being recorded in 2007 at 20.5ºC.

It has now been about 5 days since we first saw the Mistle Thrush pair taking food away to feed young so with any luck we may be able to see this years young in the garden. The Robins have been mostly absent in the garden as it seems non have decided to nest within view of the garden...sad really as I always like to see their antics although the other day I did note the male feeding his mate which at least shows nesting is well under way.

21st. A third consecutive day of record high temp for the garden for this year and without checking I am pretty sure this is the hottest temp during April I have recorded in the garden.  It again came at 15:56 and hit 23.4ºC. I will check this when I get the chance as I am writing this from the garden on the decking enjoying a fresh coffee, watching for House Martins having eaten a lovely dinner. If this is what utopia feels like then I have reached that point. A pair of Bullfinch are becoming quite regular so I hope we will be treated to a few youngsters this year.

20th. Today again produced the second consecutive hottest day of the year in the garden but only slightly with a 0.1ºC increase to 21.4ºC and again it was at about the same time at 16:15.

The hedgehogs are the stars at present with two regularly feeding and spending time snuffling loudly around each other. I have never managed to have them nest in the garden even though several boxes have been constructed. I have watched them enter the boxes at evening time but it seems it acts as a social club rather than a place of residence.

19th. The website in general has been lacking in content with we way being on our India trip report and nothing much in the way of photos within the garden. I just have not really regained my get up and type after my illness. Non the less I can say I have enjoyed more than ever what the garden has to offer and our few birding trips out to other places with friends have been very therapuetic and welcome.

Mandy and I are in a race to see our first House Martin of the year from within the garden but as yet nothing! Weather wise it really has been lovely with the warmest day of the year being today at 16:00 whereby it reached 21.3ºC. We ate tea out on the decking and I took to a bit of gardening. The garden has needed some attention after having abandoned it for most of last year so it has taken quite some time to get it something like a place of pleasure.

I have found by mistake a gem of a plant called Night Scented Phlox.....I thought it was night scented stock when I picked it up....what a great smell. It opens it's flowers come evening and fills the air with a vanilla like scent. I will be getting more!