Cyn's Nature Notes: A Spring Journey from Hertfordshire to Oxfordshire

Saturday 24 March 2012

A Spring Journey from Hertfordshire to Oxfordshire

This morning our grandson rang to say there are newts, ? palmate and another type in his pond, and a wren nesting in his shed. I always enjoy visiting my grandson and his fiancee, seeing the progression of their pregnancy, spending time with them both and also enjoying the local wildlife.

It is 12:30 pm and the temperature is 21 degrees, a bright and beautiful day and we are on our way to visit our grandson and grand-daughter-in-law to be in Oxfordshire. Mike comments that it is seems strange to have such warm weather when there are no leaves on the majority of trees. It is true that many trees are still bereft of leaves, while others like the hawthorn are now wearing fresh spring green coats and some are even bedecked in red or white blossom. Dangly, dusty catkins and fat, fluffy pussy willow grace other trees, the verges are bright with yellow daffodils, dandelions and lesser celandines (Ranunculus ficaria). The lesser celandines have tiny tubers and once they settle somewhere they are very hard to get rid of, having made that observation I have to say they are so bright and cheerful, and look wonderful in our hedgerows and on our verges. They are one of our first spring flowers and the sight of them in the wild fills me with delight, whether it is a single plant or a verge full.

We are now on the M40 and have just seen our first red kite, before the weekend is over we will see many more of these stunning fork tailed birds. Road kills have not been as bad as usual on this journey, although each and everyone fills me with sadness. a fox on the A414, a hedgehog on the A40 and along a country road a rabbit.

The stretch of M40 we are now travelling is one of my favourite stretches, it slices through some amazing chalk downland, however just prior to this is a very attractive bridge then before you know it you are travelling between these enormous white chalk cliffs which rise up on either side of the road, dwarfing the cars passing by, immediately you are through them the countryside on both sides is so picturesque, it is not only hilly but also has excellent far reaching views and I always wish for a small parking area, styles and many footpaths leading away and into the rich greenness. It is a foolish wish for if it came true the area would soon be spoiled and would lose it's charm.

Two large, blunt tailed birds, huge like red kites fly low over the car while we are still on the motorway. Off the motorway we spot three ducks on a typically English village pond, interestingly once again two males and one female and further on a roadside verge already covered in white clover, so good for bees.

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About this Blog

When we moved to our present home in December 1987, I was very ill and bedridden. My garden was a life-saver, although it was very different then. The first thing I did was to put up bird-feeders, and long hours were spent lying indoors in a recliner. This was when I discovered many things. Do you know the underside of every blue tit’s tail is differently marked? Gradually, over the years, the garden changed. We put in shrubs and plants that would not only enhance the garden, but would also be good for wildlife. The first rabbit we saw was so joyful for us. The deer eat the flowers, prune the apple trees, eat the marrow, and are wonderful to watch. Foxes have been a major part of our wildlife. We have fed them each night for more than 20 years. They are such a delight, especially in late summer and early autumn when there are youngsters. They behave like puppies and are great fun to watch.

I love all wildlife: the mason bees that nest in the brickwork of the bungalow, the hornets that last year made their home in the roof above our bedroom, the bees currently nesting in the roof above the bathroom. On a hot evening, if you stand quietly in the bathroom, you can hear this amazing sound: it is very rhythmic and reminds me of the waves at the seaside. It is made by the beating of the bees’ wings as they fan their nest to keep the temperature at the right level -- how many people have heard that sound? I feel so privileged.

Obviously, I feed the birds. When I open the window in the morning I call “Come on Bobby and Blackie”, and one followed swiftly by the other they fly immediately to the bird table. Each morning, on rising, I make my way to the kitchen and find the squirrels already sitting on the window ledge waiting to be fed. Winter brings the moorhens and spring time the mallards. Our pond is a poor effort from a human point of view, but wild creatures see it differently. On summer days, the grass snakes spend long hours in the pond: eating the fish, froglets, toadlings, newts, and any other living creature they can swallow. Although I hate to see the pond emptied this way, I do enjoy the snakes and feel they are an important part of the balance of nature in the garden. Watching a dragonfly nymph climbing out of the pond, up a plant stalk, and then over the next few hours gradually transforming into a beautiful dragonfly -- these are contented hours well spent.

It has been my pleasure to write and publish a nature column each month. I am always delighted to hear how much pleasure this brings to my readers. I have often been asked if I have written a book, so I am making more of my writings and photography available through this web site and blog.