First Signs of Spring

Some very mild days over the past couple of weeks, with temperatures in double figures on several days, has helped with the onset of Spring.  In particular, in my garden, frogs have returned to the pond to spawn.  In fact, they have pretty much finished, which is quite early compared to other years.  In excess of 100 frogs have created a huge batch of spawn that covers the northern bank of the pond.  In past years, their frenetic activity has attracted one of the local Common Buzzards - it would swoop down, land in the water and walk about until it speared a frog in its talons, then fly up to a nearby oak bough and devour its catch.  After about 30 minutes it would repeat the exercise.  This would go on for many hours until it had had its fill.  This year is the first year in many that this has not happened, maybe put off by a local black cat that has also taken a fancy to the movement despite best efforts to remove it.

However, this morning, March 1st, I opened the curtains and disturbed a Grey Heron that flew off from the pond.  Another bird was perched on the garden shed, which followed its companion up and away.  No further frogs have been seen, so I guess they have finished off the stragglers between them.

A few bumble bees have been seen, including 2 sightings of the now regular Bombus hypnorum, Tree Bee.  It is surprising how over a few years this recent colonist has become firmly established.

Another recent coup has been the sighting of at least 4 House Sparrows, no more than 400 yards from the garden.  I thought that this species had become extinct from this area, with only 2 garden sightings, the last being 6 years ago, so this was very encouraging.  I even managed a scope view of a male and female in a distant hedge from the lounge, which is even better!

Blackcaps are quite regular visitors to the feeders at present, usually a lone female, but also a female and a male, so at least 2 maybe 3 birds.  Bramblings are also fairly regular, but in small numbers.  They usually build slightly in number in late Winter through March, but the maximum daily count so far is just 5 birds, 3 males and 2 females - still, always a delight to see.  Siskins are also more regular this time of year before they depart to their breeding grounds.

The other sign of Spring is the sound of the Tawny Owls' courtship song.  Described as a 'xylophone trill' this rather musical un Owl-like low trill is made by either sex and can be heard most evenings at present.  Hopefully, this is the precursor to another nesting attempt in the owl box - certainly at least one bird is seen fairly frequently roosting at the entrance to the box at the moment.