Monthly Observations 2007

January 2007. A month that can be summed up as very mild, wet and windy. The grass has continued to grow throughout the winter, which is helping to feed this years lambs at lower levels. Many farms still have large supplies of hay stored in their barns as the weather has remained so very mild since autumn. The mountains have yet to be seen in their winter guise, with no snow so far observed on the peaks. The winds have been heard howling around the house on many evenings, and severe gales have been recorded on a number of occasions. Our anemometer is in a slightly sheltered position, and recorded gale force 8 a number of

times during the month. On the morning of the 18th I ventured up the hill above the house with a hand held anemometer and recorded wind speeds of gale force 9+. This day saw our phone lines go down, and we were without a phone for five days. Our power also failed for a short period, but was back up after a couple of hours. Over the last couple of years the electricity company have replaced the electricity poles and lines in the area, and have also cut down many of the trees running alongside the power lines. This seems to have given us a more reliable power supply, even in severe weather. The birds had problems feeding in these strong winds, so we moved a feeder to a more sheltered spot which they soon found. The Daffodils are already beginning to come through, and many of the Snowdrops (Galanthus) were in flower by the 23rd in the more sheltered parts of the garden. The Christmas Rose (Helleborus) was in full bloom on the 24th giving some colour to the shrubbery. We spent many an evening sheltered besides a conifer watching the winds batter the landscape, there is always a magic in watching the strength of nature on the landscape around us, the dogs however would I am sure be happier laying by the log fire.

February 2007. The beginning of the month has continued mild and rather murky. 3rd The last two evenings has seen thick mist form by dusk. Walking around the lanes in the stillness, without a sound of humanity, has a feeling all of its own, no sound, and no vision. On my way back to the house there was a sudden movement from the hedgerow on my left, and a fox strolled out of the undergrowth, and was halfway across the lane before seeing me. With the air being so still it could not have picked up my scent, and even when seeing me, if it recognized me for what I was, it continued to move at the same speed across the lane and into the hedgerow. This was the first fox I had seen around our locality for some time, although badgers are seen regularly. 6th At last a touch of winter, frost has formed over the last few nights, and the bird feeders are suddenly busy with bird life from sunrise, the feeders are having to be filled three times a day, but the display of so much bird life makes it all worthwhile. The night sky has been clear with Venus clearly visible in the starlit sky, with the light of the moon reflecting on the white frost formed on the grass. 8th The first snowfall of winter, although not a significant fall, enough to alter the prospective of the landscape. By evening fog began to form in the frozen landscape giving an eerie feel to the stillness. The fox (Vulpes Vulpes) I met the other evening appeared in the garden, probably looking for food. It is a vixen, and she was scenting around the area our dogs normally walk, leaving her scent as she went. She may well be in cub as they normally mate in December and January, with a litter of around four cubs born in April. They are born blind, and remain in the earth for four weeks, before being brought out to play at night. The vixen eventually teaches them to hunt, with the youngsters leaving the earth in the autumn and early winter to find their own territories. 14th The snows cleared quickly with milder temperatures and rain on the 11th. The ground is very wet, with very little evaporation at this time of year. The change to milder temperatures has seen the first daffodils bloom at out elevation. The Greater Spotted Woodpecker can be heard tapping away in the quiet of the dawn, soon after, the bird feeders are busy with the local bird population feeding after another long damp cold winters night. The snow has disappeared off the high summits, in what was a very brief sight of winter, with the majestic scene of Snowdonia in its winter cloak.

18th A crisp frosty start to the day, feeling cold and fresh in the early morning air. The birds, with their feathers puffed up against the cold, were very active in the trees around the feeders waiting for them to be re filled. Sitting back, watching the birds feed, gave us an opportunity to see which species are visiting the garden this time of year. House Sparrow, Starling, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Collared Dove, Robin, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Nuthatch, Wren, Song Thrush, Yellowhammer, Jay, with Buzzards and Crows flying overhead. With the warmth of the winter sun, this was a day for catching up with jobs outside. The purple sprouting broccoli has given us our first pickings of the season and will be part of the Sunday Roast tonight. The recent winds have given the bird feeders a fair hammering, and closer inspection shows they have reached the end of their life and a new feeder is under construction. We would really miss the early morning visits of the birds whilst having breakfast, they are part of the start of every day. The badgers have been active in the meadow, with scratching's evident in the grass where they have been foraging for insects overnight. 24th The weather has remained wet and mild for the time of year. The grass continues to grow, and flowers bloom earlier than can be remembered for many years. The first buds can be seen in the hedgerows, and a cherry tree in the valley has blossom on it. The new bird feeder has been constructed and erected, and the birds have now got used to the change and are feeding well. Lambing is well underway at lower levels, and in the next couple of weeks new born lambs will be seen in the fields around the house. 28th The end of the month has remained mild, with more daffodils blooming giving colour to the borders, and to the lane side where we planted bulbs a few years ago. The sheep that normally can be seen roaming freely along the lane have remained in their field for the last few weeks so the daffodils have had a chance to bloom before being eaten. Looking across down the valley at night, lights can be seen on the otherwise black landscape, these are the sheds of local farms that have brought their ewes in for lambing. Soon we will see the first lambs in the fields along the lanes.

March 2007. Dydd Dewi Sant, the first day of the month is St Davids day the Patron Saint of Wales. The first day of the month started off bright and clear, with daffodils in the garden and lane side in bloom, the yellow contrasting with the green of the evergreen shrubs. Looking across to the mountains a dusting of snow could be seen on the highest peaks. Having gone in the Camper Van to Europe for the early part of the month, I had to rely on the Weather Station for details of the weather. It would appear that even though flowers are begining to bloom, winter is still in control with low temperatures and strong to gale force winds. On our return we found laying water on some of the lane side verges, and the soil showing signs of recent heavy rainfall. 16th The day started with a ground frost, and numerous birds visiting the feeders. The frost soon melted, but it remained rather cool and by late afternoon it was time to get the log fire going. It is nice to travel, but it is always nice to come home to our special part of Wales. We stood outside in the darkness of evening, listening to the sounds of the recently born lambs calling their mothers, and looking at the stars in the clear night sky. 19th Woke today to another frost, and snow on the mountain peaks down to about 2500ft. The birds continue to be busy collecting materials for nest building, and we have noticed a number of our nest boxes are being visited by blue tits. 22nd Snow continues to cover the higher peaks of Snowdonia. The first green buds can be seen on the hawthorn hedgerows, and we continue to have a magnificent display of daffodils, this has been one of the very best years we can remember for the daffodils. 28th Today has been a day of thick mist covering the landscape, and muffling the sounds of nature. A buzzard spent much of the morning hunting from a fence post in the meadow, taking flight every now and again on hunting trips, and returning with prey on a couple of occasions. Life must be difficult on days like this for birds of prey with visibility being so poor.

Early December 2007. December started with wind and rain, the rain at times stinging our faces as we walked the dogs. The clouds scurried quickly across the darken skies, above the peaks of the Snowdonia Mountains. At our elevation the last of the summer foliage is torn from the Mountain Ash, the leaves being blown into piles around the perimeters of the fields. The birds, who always seem to be aware of impending bad weather have eaten well at the feeders, which we have had to keep filled. The coming of early dusk encourages us to make sure the animals are safe and bedded down before lighting the fire indoors, and settling down enjoying its comfort and warmth, listening to the wind and rain hammering at the windows. 6th December The wind and rain has continued with the fields unable to take anymore rain, leaving some fields with laying water. Rain is running off the fields onto the roads leaving some of the roads with large puddles. The sheep in the fields look thoroughly fed up and bedraggled, with their fleeces being wet and muddy. The hedges have lost the last of their foliage, leaving them naked and offering very little shelter to the wildlife and birds. The mountain peaks remain cloaked in cloud, which moves quickly across the leaden skies. 8th December With the rain continuing, the lanes are covered in mud from tractors leaving the fields after dropping feed for livestock. Puddles litter the lanes with water running off the fields across the roads. Taking a walk with the dogs just before dusk, I could hear a buzzard calling across the valley above the noise of the wind shattering the peace of the valley. As we neared where the buzzard was circling, I saw another buzzard sitting on a fence post holding some prey in its claws tearing at it with its beak. Although we were fairly close to it, it ignored our presence and continued with its meal. The cold rain continued to fall and the winds howled, but our buzzard was more concerned with his meal and survival. 11th December Much of the day was spent removing some old fencing in the vegetable garden. A lovely cold crisp day, with many of the roads drying up following the days of heavy rain and gales. The ground remains wet underfoot, but it is nice to feel the warmth of the winter sun as you work. With the wind now reduced to a light breeze, silence returns to the land. Buzzards could be observed flying low over the hillside of gorse looking for prey. As dusk approached, the sound of wild geese could be heard in the distance and a formation of geese flew westerly over the meadow as the sun dipped below the mountains of Snowdonia. On a day like today there cannot be a better place in the world to be. 21st December The cold weather has continued with light snow fall evident on some of the higher peaks. The ground has become frozen and Starlings have been observed on the feeders as they have not been able to forage in the surrounding fields. Some spectacular sunrises have been seen, and the nights have been clear with the fields bathed in moonlight, reflecting the white glazed frost laden grass. 30th December From the 22nd December the cold quiet weather has changed into the wet, stormy Atlantic weather often experienced in this part of Wales. The ground that had been frozen, has thawed, causing the heavy rain to run into the lanes and rivers. The winds have increased gusting to Force 8 at times, tearing the bird feeders from the Bird Stand. During some quieter spells the weather has remained mild and swarms of nat's can be seen when walking along some of the more sheltered spots of the local lanes. As you walk the lanes the earth smells as if it is alive, and you are reminded by the Badger runs, and the signs of other nocturnal creatures, that life continues even in this wet harsh winter enviorment.

Rural Living

Monthly Observations 2007