The Oak, twisted and bare looks lifeless, autumns leaves still litter the woodland floor in fact the whole wood looks at first glance without life.
But standing here, as I did for just a few minutes, you realise that spring is in fact here. I do wish that I could bring you the song that was in the air. A vibrant yet melodic call of birds, exercising for the first time their spring calls, echoing the potential for the new life to come….Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits, Gold Finches, Treecreeper, Nut Hatch, Greater Spotted Woodpecker all making themselves heard. Dunnock, Robin and Blackbird scavenging through the leaves for insects. A Thrush calls and the laugh of the Green Woodpecker occasional cutting across all others reminding me of just how much fun spring will be. Yesterday we had record February temperatures of 15c so that must help our Feathered Friends.
Elsewhere in the woods, Silver Birch are just starting to show indications that spring is on he way. The tops of the fine branches that have survived the winter are starting to colour red a sure sign that the buds will be bursting before to long.
The Snowdrops seem to be enjoying a great season with new and bigger clumps spreading beneath the trees…….the Bluebells will not be far behind.
24th February
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 