Wax Wing

Although the weather has been cold here, it has been far less severe than in Siberia, which has had temperatures below minus forty degrees. These cold conditions have forced many more winter migrant birds to fly here in search of food, like the rare Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus).

Wax wing

These birds fly in flocks and are attracted to gardens and parks where there are trees laden in berries like the Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia). You may even be able to combine your shopping trip with birdwatching as many supermarket carparks are planted with berry bearing shrubs that attract unusual birds at this time of year.

When out and about this month you may hear a noisy squeaking commotion in a tree above you. It will most probably be a pair of Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis).

The Grey Squirrel

They chase each other from tree to tree as part of their courtship.

Snow drops, a valuable food supplier for early insects.

The Snowdrop, (Galanthus nivalis), is an early source of food for bees. The insects brush against the green spotted inner petals which secrete nectar. The origin of the Snopdrop is not certain, it may not be native because it first appeared in this county's plant recordsduring the eighteenth century. Whatever its origin it is a welcome sight as they adorn many a stream or hedgerow bank.

yellow Gorse flowers

Another flowering plant to keep an eye out for is the deep yellow Gorse (Ulex europeaus) whose flowers give a wonderful coconut aroma at this time of the year.

Pussy Willow

This month look out for catkins found on a variety of trees in the hedgerows and woodlands. The Goat Willow, (Salix caprea), and the Sallow, (Salix atrocinerea), have male and female catkins, which grow on separate trees. As these catkins first appear they resemble silver fur like that found on a cat and they have acquired the name" Pussy willow". These flowers are pollinated by insects that come out on the warmer days looking for nectar to feed on, or by wind.

Hazel 'lambs-tails'

The Hazel, (Corylus avellana), has male and female flowers on the same tree. The male catkins look like "lamb's-tails", a strange coincidence because lambs traditionally are born at this time of year in the neighbouring farmland. The female flower is a pretty bud, shaped like a red tassel.

Because of the wet weather we have been having the farmers have been late in sowing their winter wheat and much of the winters sowing has been delayed or abandoned for this year.

Next month March, I will talk about the March Hare and Coltsfoot.