Tag: Snow

Posted in nature

Frosts, Fog and Snow Arrived

Posted on by BITM

Cold weather from the north arrived over the past few weeks. Initially hard frosts covered the earth along with foggy mornings; then snow arrived overnight on the 11th December. Due to the below average temperatures it lasted for a week but once the warmer southern weather and rain arrived (last Sunday) the snow disappeared as quickly as it arrived; It was beautiful while it lasted.

Also I finally caught Covid (after avoiding it until now). Thankfully, apart from leaving me with a cough I am much better, however for a while my world was reduced to watching birds from my flat. The Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) outside has been stripped of all berries, no doubt the snow last week was a factor as birds had less places to forage and migratory birds arrived. A group of Redwings (Turdus iliacus) visited the tree along with Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) and also a Song thrush (Turdus philomelos). Further information on Redwings can be found via the RSPB website.

A Song thrush visiting a snowy Rowan tree while berries still hung from it.

It was also nice to see my resident Blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) and a Robin (Erithacus rubecula) appear too.

I can’t believe it’s the Winter Solstice already. I am looking forward to taking a few weeks off; I will take the time to relax, reflect and look to the year ahead.

Posted in Bookworm review, nature, Sundew Crochet

One Year On

Posted on by BITM

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.