A REVIEW OF 2019 - PART 1/4

At this time every year I take a look back at how the garden changed during the year.

This is the first of four posts that will charter the changing view of the garden, starting with January to March.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

COOLER CONDITIONS SIGNAL WINTER DARKNESS

Not one day has passed this month (October) without rain falling. While this has been fairly represented across the UK, it must mean we’re on for a pretty wet autumn.

The flora is gradually feeling the effects of the wet and cooler weather, and with sunlight in limited supply most plant-based organisms are ‘retreating’ to their winter states.

The wildlife has been generally out of sight so far this month, with only small flocks of house sparrows visibly on a regular basis.

As we near the end of the year I’ll soon start reflecting on how the seasons change the garden, starting with how it emerges from winter into spring.

I’ll do it in quarters, starting with January to March.

With not much free time available due to work, darkness and the children, there’s plenty of work to do in the garden.

Clearing things for winter will have to wait until November, but always being mindful that wildlife will be relying on certain elements of the garden or shelter during the cold weather that winter brings.

Autumn and winter are the times of year that mean viewing wildlife that’s active in the day is limited to weekends.

It also brings opportunities to view nocturnal animals, particularly the mammals and birds (bats, badgers, owls and foxes), all of which have been seen or heard recently.

Let’s hope my daughters finally get to see a fox in the flesh – or ‘real life’ as they both say.

WINTER WEATHER INCREASING USE OF GARDEN FEEDERS

Hard frosts and cold days have resulted in the garden birds spending more time around the feeders in the garden.

Long tailed tits are now frequenting the garden, suggesting the natural food source is running low.

A flock of around 15-20 house sparrows spent about 30 minutes hoovering up from underneath a feeder, thankfully without any of the local cats noticing.

A pair of blackbirds has been feasting on the apples; with three down and one to go.

The male and female visit separately, but can spend up to an hour (without any disturbance) eating and digesting the fruit.

I do wonder if the fermenting fruit does make them slightly tipsy!

I’ve not checked the nest box cameras since before Christmas but, with the cold weather likely to be around for a while, January is a good time to check in on them and see if any winter roosting is taking place.

Coming back to the feeders around the garden, it’s interesting to see that the peanut seed feeders are finished first, while the fat balls and snacks feeders seem to have much less attention.

This could be down to the fact the former two are easier to pick food up from and move to a place of security, while the fat snacks need them to stick around a feeder for a time.

I could conduct research into this, but unfortunately work and family leave me no time.

NESTING ACTION IS LIMITED

The garden has seen very little in the way of nesting behaviour so far, although some signs of courtship among the local bird population has been noted.

Near to the garden numerous magpies are collecting sticks for nesting, while some have even almost completed nests.

However the nest boxes have seen absolutely nothing, which is unusual because in previous years, at least one nest box would have already been taken – indeed in some years they’re taken in January.

The weather is certainly becoming cooler again and while numerous blue and great tits have been seen to inspect the emerging bulbs on trees and bushes, it may be that it’s not quite right to start building a nest yet.

It’s not a convincing theory, but one this garden is hoping is true, otherwise it’ll be the first year no nests have been recorded here in a decade.

Are the cats, who are continuing to use the garden as a toilet, to blame? If so then action will be taken to combat this trend.

Locally the smaller trees are slowly starting to turn green and bring some colour to the area, while the birds are always excited when the bird feeders in the trees are filled up.

Indeed they are on the feeders within seconds of them being hung up again, full of peanuts and seeds.