Rural Living

Monthly Observations 2008

 

January 1st. NEW YEARS DAY. A rather wet start to the year, the fields are rain sodden, and the sound of the river can be heard from the meadow in the silence of dusk. There is an earthy smell in the air with all the dampness. The sound of a Blackbird can be heard, reminding us that although we may be in the depth of winter, Spring is around the corner. The daffodils are begining to poke through the soil, along with the snowdrops. January 3rd. How quickly the weather can change nature, the puddles in the lane are now frozen, with frost in the field. The cold easterly wind brings the shivers, and the birds continue the fight for survival. Walking in the woods this afternoon it was evident that many of the wild birds were sheltering amongst the woodland trees. In the garden we are seeing more Blackbirds than in previous years, and the common Blue Tits with their pale yellow under parts, are regular visitors to the feeders. The Greater Spotted Woodpecker has returned to the garden with the colder weather along with the Sparrows and Thrushes. We are seeing evidence of Moles (Talpa Europaea) with mole hills in the meadows. The Mole surfacing, searching for grass and dead leaves for their nest, gives us the mole hills. Its tunnels can be up to 200mts in length, and we think they come from the rough grass and trees that line the meadow edge. Earthworms are the moles staple diet, and they must eat half their body weight each day to survive. In April-May the female produces a litter of 3-4 youngsters, the youngsters become independent in about a month. The Mole has a black velvety head and body, pink nose, large forepaws, tiny eyes, and water repellent fur. He has sensitive whiskers, and touch sensors on his nose to guide him. January 14th. Over recent days the high winds, and heavy rain has continued, with a couple of cold snaps in between. The winds suddenly drawing down the cold air from the east and north. The saturated ground allows pools to form that the ducks love, wallowing in, and prodding around the pool edge in the sodden ground for worms. A friendly Robin joins us when working outside during breaks in the weather, and the blackbirds are regular ground feeders in the garden. We have also seen nuthatches visiting the feeders on a regular basis. Walking in the woods, it appears that the trees are void of wildlife, but suddenly we come across birds moving around the woodland in mixed species, probably affording a measure of safety against predators, with a greater number of birds to detect danger and warn others. Every now and again the dogs disturb a Pheasant in the undergrowth, putting it to flight, and warning the other wildlife of our presence. Walking in the woods, sheltered from the wind and rain gives a magic and sense of security, not felt in open country or in the mountains. The smell of damp woodland remains whilst in the more exposed areas any smells of nature are briskly blown away in the wind. Sounds remain in the shelter of the trees, the swift running stream can be clearly heard, whilst outside the only sound is the wind hollowing around the landscape. Life has a rawness about it, but Spring and the season of renewal is not that far away.