Author: BITM

Posted in nature

Increased Sunshine to Lift the Spirits.

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With an increase in sunnier moments last week the more life is seemed to come out to enjoy the sun’s rays. Amidst these strange times I am especially glad I can enjoy nature therapy. In particular seeing Bumblebees flying around makes me smile. Along with several Buff-tailed Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris), I also saw a Hairy-footed flower bee (Anthophora plumipes) last Wednesday.

A Hairy-footed flower bee visiting Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis).
A Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) pollinating Winter heath (Erica Carnea).

In fact Wednesday was a very productive day for sightings. I saw my first lacewing (Neuroptera) of the season, which was hitching a ride in the van. I also saw a couple of 7-spot ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata) amongst some Heuchera. 

Last week was great for counting frogs (Rana temporaria) too. On Wednesday there were seven attempting to remain shaded by a pile of scaffolding boards in a garden attached to a new build development. Consequently the frogs were moved to a quieter area so that access could be gained to the garden. Even on Thursday, as I worked next to a pond, I observed tadpoles emerge; It was fascinating to see the process unfold. I couldn’t count the total number of tadpoles but the pond was full of them as well as frogspawn; as it had been the previous year. Plus I even found a frog on the allotment.

As well as amphibians and insect sightings, further flowers blooming were,
Glory of the snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)

Anemone apennina and

Two-leaf squill, also called Alpine squill (Scilla bifolia)

Posted in Allotment, nature

‘March’ing into Spring

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As with the first of March, this week ended with sunshine; although there have been moments of heavy rain as well. Meteorological Spring has begun and things are certainly waking up in the gardens. My Scilla have started to bloom and the Anemone blanda are looking magestic too.

Scilla
Anemone blanda

Wild flowers are starting to grow now as well; particularly Hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) and Common chickweed (Stellaria media).

When the sun was out, I noticed bees foraging. I have seen an Early bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and a few Buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) visiting flowers. Early bumblebees are one of the smallest in the uk and emerge from hibernation in March, before many other species are seen.

A Bombus terrestris visiting a
Spring crocus (Crocus vernus)

I managed to spend Saturday at the allotment. It’s only the second week on a new plot. After an initial viewing the previous Saturday, my partner and I spent five productive hours this weekend; pruning the apple tree, removing grass from the weedsheet covered beds and sorting the compost bins. No Robins (Erithacus rubecula) visited as earth was disturbed but we did have some friendly Jackdaws (Corvus monedula).

Our allotment helpers

I also treated myself, and pollinators, to a Fuji cherry (Prunus incisa) ‘Kojo-no-mai’. It is the only thing flowering on the allotment at the moment (until we start growing cut flowers, fruit, herbs and vegetables) so it looked wonderful blooming in the sun.

Posted in Bookworm review, nature, Sundew Crochet

One Year On

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Wow I can’t believe a year has passed since I started this blog. Occasionally the discipline of writing something each week has been difficult but I am glad I’ve stuck with it as I do enjoy it. 

I began this nature journal for many reasons; 

  1. To learn more about the natural world
  2. Record the natural world around me
  3. Develope my wildlife gardening knowledge
  4. Make use of the photographs I take
  5. Observe the small things in life
  6. Give me focus
  7. Improve my mental health.

I reviewed my first post, from the 26th February 2019, comparing it with this year. The first grass cut of 2020 was a week earlier but I haven’t noticed Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) butterflies. We haven’t had record breaking February temperatures either. Instead we have had storms Ciara and Dennis on consecutive weekends and will end the month with Jorge (this weekend). This past week, the weather continued to be very wet with occasional sunshine and briefly hail and snow. Some areas of the UK are dealing with floods while others have snow.

Spring is still trying to break through. Clematis armandii is blooming while snow is falling.

Things that have remained the same however are the emergence of the spring bulbs, foraging bees and the Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) flowering (traditionally this occurs in March and April).

Along with the observations I’ve occasionally shared my love of nature writing, in the Bookworm Reviews, which I have enjoyed. More recently I have begun to include my Sundew Crochet as my crochet is influenced by what I notice in nature.

I never imagined that people would read my blog, so thank you; I hope you continue to enjoy my future posts.

Posted in Sundew Crochet

Sundew Crochet

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I treated myself to this glorious sunny yarn over Christmas.

Wendy Stella yarn (5185), crocheted into a Granny square blanket, reminds me of the sun.

I have been making the most of this extra layer recently. Usually the coldest month, February seems to drag it’s feet into Spring; meanwhile this blanket continues to keep me toasty and cheerful.

Posted in nature

Ciara and Dennis Visited.

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After Ciara’s departure, last weekend was another wild one with Dennis’s arrival. Thankfully, apart from a few blown down fence panels and trees there wasn’t much destruction in the gardens. Once again we got off lightly compared to some parts of the country. Since then, the weather has cooled down slightly and it has remained windy and wet with occasional sunshine. 


Despite the topsy turvy weather Forsythia

Strachey’s elephant’s ears (Bergenia stracheyi)

and Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)

are flowering. Plus as I have traveled round I have noticed that in some places Dandelions (Taraxacum officinalis) and Common gorse (Ulex europaeus) have begun blooming too.  

Posted in nature

A Little Love on Valentine’s Day

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Over the last few weeks I have noticed several bees motionless on the ground. Thankfully they were just resting so each time I carefully moved them to a nectar source. It is so lovely to see them hungrily lap it up, getting covered in pollen as they go. Just shows how important it is to grow late winter flowering plants for bees to visit. Yesterday I found another Buff-tailed Bumblebee in the same predicament. Showing love to that bee made my Valentine’s day. ♥️ 🐝🌸

Posted in Bookworm review, nature

Bookworm Review- ‘Bird Therapy’ by Joe Harkness

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I had downloaded this book ages ago and finally got round to reading it last month.

Part autobiographical and part informative this positive book is encouraging and so beautifully written that as the reader you are transported to his bird watching adventures.
Although Joe talks about his own experience with mental health, from his darkest days to eventually feeling better, it is never dwelt on. At the end of each chapter practical tips are given on how to engage in Bird therapy. He talks about different aspects of bird watching, anything from joining the serious world of twitchers through to taking part in the yearly RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch survey (describing his own explorations into each one as the book progresses).

Chapter eight ‘A sea-duck flotilla…’ particularly resonated with me. It describes birdwatching in winter. I also agree that watching birds is easier this time of year due to the bare trees and more birds taking advantage of bird feeders. Yet it is the time when I prefer to hibernate due to my Seasonal Affective Disorder. Having a bird feeder visible from my window helps encourage me to go out and face the world.

If you are dealing with mental health issues, know someone who is or feel a little bit low and stressed yourself then read this inspirational book. It proves how nature can help make you feel better and be part of the cure.

Posted in nature

Birdwatching and Blooming Flowers

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The annual Big Garden Birdwatch returned last weekend. As usual I took part on a Sunday morning. As with the previous year, there were lots of birds to see in my little patch, namely;

– 2 Blackbirds (Turdus merula)
– 3 Magpies (Pica pica)
– 7 Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)
– 1 Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
– 1 Dunnock (Prunella modularis)
– 5 Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus)
– 2 Great Tits (Parus major)
– 2 Wood Pigeons (Columba palumbus)
– 1 Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
– 1 Ring necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri) and
– 3 Common Gulls (Larus canus)

There were a few changes to my 2019 list, the Dunnock, Ring necked parakeet and Common gulls were not visible during surveys before. Although I have noticed these birds in the area many times.

I enjoy purposely sitting for an hour on a Sunday morning observing birds, especially at this time of year. It is a lovely reminder that if you atune yourself to nature you will notice it even in the depths of winter.

One bird I have been hoping to see all winter were Redwings (Turdus iliacus). In previous years there have always been a few visitors to the Rowan (Sorbus) tree. However the berries were quickly eaten this Winter, which may explain why I haven’t seen any. Although perhaps they arrived when I wasn’t around to see them.

It was fantastic to witness more flowers popping up last week too, they were;

– Crocus vernus

-Anemone blanda

-Iris reticulata

– and Primroses (Primula vulgaris)

Spring really does feel as though it is around the corner now we have entered February.