AN EARLY SPRING?

Just as winter was gripping the country, with snow and plunging temperatures, then suddenly spring has sprung into life.

The trees are in blossom, snowdrops are brightening the flowerbeds, while crocuses, daffodils and tulips are all emerging.

Indeed, the mild weather has meant the dawn chorus has an extra melody or two added to it, with the local robins being very vocal at first light.

I’ve not checked the nest box cameras recently, but perhaps this weekend will give me chance to have a look – albeit making sure any inquisitive birds aren’t put off from nesting.

The pond will also get a makeover this weekend, with a few oxygenating plants helping create a viable home for many insects and amphibians, along with a water supply for birds.

However, the amphibians are seemingly already attracted by the recovered water feature, although the frog that hopped in the house this week was slightly off course.

A helping hand was required to point it in the right direction, although time will tell if the pond is an acceptable location for the next generation.

The weather forecast looks like it’ll remain very spring-like in the coming days, so perhaps winter has finished.

But, with thick snow laying on the ground in many places last year in March, anyone who thinks we’ve said goodbye to frosts, cold and snow, might be in for a shock.

SPRING IS READY TO GO, BUT HAS WINTER GOT A FINAL BITE?

Now that the second batch of bitterly cold Siberian weather this winter has relented, the wildlife has literally sprung into life.

I think we can technically say we’re in spring, even if the weather isn’t playing ball.

The blossom is blooming, the spring flowers are adding colour to the garden, and the birds are full of song.

There appears to be at least two robin territories close by, one which includes the garden.

A pair of blue tits are still making their interest in the original camera nest box known, while other birds seen regularly in pairs are great tit, robin, blackbird, dunnock, house sparrow and goldfinch.

Now that the snowdrops have gone for another year and the crocuses are giving their final fling, the daffodils have taken over.

Apart from the blossom, many bushes and small trees are showing signs of the cold winter, looking quite forlorn and not showing any interest in the spring sunshine – albeit it the sunshine isn’t too warm yet.

The honeysuckle and pyracantha are the worst looking, so it’ll be interesting to see how they fare when spring warmth final makes an appearance.

However, before any warmth it looks like winter will make another appearance over Easter, which makes me wonder just how the wildlife will react, particularly if any of the birds have laid any eggs.

SPRING WILL HAVE TO WAIT

Just when we thought winter had dealt it’s final cold blast, the ‘Beast from the East’ is returning, with more Siberian winds.

Luckily the birds are not in full-on nesting mode, but they certainly have been scouting for sites and one pair have been roosting overnight in one of the nest boxes.

Unfortunately the camera is not working in that box, so I’m not sure which bird it is although, given a pair of blue tits have been spending time around the box recently, I suspect it is them.

With both cameras seemingly down, an investment in another one is due, although depending on when it arrives, and the length of the cold spell, I might avoid the nest box in which I suspect the blue tits are planning on taking as a nest site.

Plenty of bird activity around the feeder, with the peanuts and seeds being favoured by most.

The robins are even feeding when we’re quite close, so I hope one day soon I can show my young girls how tame they can be.

The flora has taken the end of the cold spell to mean it can introduce buds and start the blossoming process, but I hope it’s not left too damaged by this new bout of cold weather.

The clocks spring forward soon, which means better opportunities to witness the wildlife in the evening, and not marginalise the viewing until the weekend.