February 2021

2^nd - Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow - a couple of inches this time around.

3^rd - This new pond - following all the snow and rain - is where the snakeshead fritillaries should be appearing. Just as well they like it damp!

4^th - Great to see the Tree Sparrows here again.

5^th - Another, now rare, visitor - a Greenfinch.

8^th - More visitors - this time a solitary Grey Wagtail - for a minute or so!

8^th - More snow and yet some of the plants are doing their best to show through - daffodils, heather and snowdrops.

8^th - Bluebells, garlic and snowdrops in snow - with some looking happier than others.

8^th - Snow covered wood pile - wonder what is living in there? Nobody has told the fish it is cold and they should not be active.

9^th - It is snowing again! Wood pigeon looking smart even before his daily bath. The Song Thrush also looking smart against the snow.

9^th - Nice to see starlings down feeding along with the chaffinches.

9^th - The Heron is back today - twice - fortunately it has not got past the net yet so may even have some fish left in the spring.

10^th - As it was -6°C outside, no apologies for some snow shots. Bird bath totally frozen, plants braving the weather and the pond trying to disappear.

11th - Footprints in the snow - the size of the Grey Heron print is something else!

11^th - Nature is surviving at -5°C and it has warmed up by a degree.

11^th - Amazing patterns from icicles and where the water splashes around the pond - the latter is getting covered by snow!

13^th - Early morning Song Thrush standing on ice and in the snow.

13^th - Still below freezing and frozen splashes make for interesting sculptures.

13^th - The Grey Heron spent 20 minutes standing on the net over the frozen pond yesterday and was back today in the deep snow.

13^th - Ice patterns around the moving water - where each drop seemed to freeze and cover in.

13^th - Poor Heron was back and making no impression on the frozen pond. The Starlings were drinking and turning it into a spa.

13^th - Wood Pigeon enjoying the extra seed while the Collared Doves sat it out in the willow.

16^th - Snow has gone, temperature around 9°C and still ice on the surface of the pond. Hopefully the Leaping Salmon rose will not have suffered too much in the cold.

16^th - Crocus appearing through the bark mulch while Snowdrops showing nicely. A first Hellebore of the season - lovely.

21^st - Too much rain to get out in garden but first nice day and the Snowdrops are blooming nicely and the first of the crocus have appeared - can spring be far away?

21^st - Good to see that the Wisteria is still alive while the "Lords and Ladies" seem to have multiplied. Hawthorn starting to bud.

24^th - Primrose looking good and the Oxlip may bud soon.

24^th - Always amazes me how quickly the crocuses appear when they start. The colouration can be great.

24^th - The goat willow and the climbing rose are still growing and soon we may have daffodils!

26^th - Lovely bunch of crocus....even the insects like them.

26^th - The roses seem to have survived the snow - Leaping Salmon, Lady Emma Hamilton and Fellowship.

26^th - The heather was in great demand today and even saw my first ladybird of the year.

26^th - Looks like Snakeshead fritillaries are starting to appear; the Lords and Ladies are more plentiful than last year while the cowslips are doing well.

26^th - Love the delicate colours of the hellebore and first sign of the rhubarb - can custard be too far behind?

28^th - Insects making the most of the lovely day.

28^th - A random white feather caught on a twig.

28^th - I am not the only one who likes a crocus!

28^th - Lovely growth on the side of a stone and the heron still waiting patiently by the pond.....