Tag: Squirrels

Posted in Allotment, nature

Emergence from Wintering

Posted on by BITM

It’s lovely to write for my blog after so long. I have enjoyed a quiet period for a month or so; slowly taking time for self care, reflection and planning the allotment during a time when I suffer with Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

I love this time of year. I love reading while snuggling under a blanket. I love the sights, sounds and general feeling of winter (especially in the new year after the distracting lights of Christmas) however my brain doesn’t. Each year from the beginning of October to the end of February I indergo a form of wintering. While wildlife winters through hibernation, migration or seeing the winter out with reduced activity. As hibernation is not possible, for me it is the latter; embracing the darker, quiter months as I spend most of my time at home. I have come to realise this wintering is essential in order for me to maintain a healthy mind.

I am still affected by the reduced amount of light but now I am able to see the other side of the winter solstice. For information on and how to find help for SAD, please follow the following links;

– Mental Health Foundation

– Mind

At this time nature becomes more important then ever to me. I look for small moments of comfort each day. Some of the wonderful nature I have witnessed during December and so far in January have been;

– The growth and blooming of early flowering plants. A reminder that gardens never completely sleep. Occasionally I’ve noticed a foraging Buff-tailed bumblebee queen visit them too.

The emergence of Snowdrops (Galanthus).
Other bulbs beginning to show themselves like these daffodils (Narcissus).
Helleborus beginning to bloom.

– The intoxicating scent of the Sarcococca which is located by the entrance to my flat.
– Birds being more visible and starting to get more vocal. I especially enjoy hearing and seeing Carrion crows (Corvus corone), one of my favourite birds, at this time.
– Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) being visible as they search for food during the day and hearing a female fox at night (January and February are their mating season).
– The beauty of frosts, together with the knowledge it will be a cold but very sunny day.
– Glorious sunrises and sunsets.

The sun captured moments before it disappeared below the horizon.

– Night sky delights.

The Wolf moon, the first full moon of 2022.

– Trees silhouetted against the sky. This also allows you to notice nests too.

The large object in the tree is a Drey.

Squirrels and their homes are also easier to spot now (as shown in the last photo). A squirrel’s Drey, for both Greys (Sciurus carolinensis) and Reds (Sciurus vulgaris) are approximately the size of footballs. They are located near trunks where branches fork outwards and located about six meters above ground. They can be differentiated from bird nests which are often smaller, tidier and found further along branches and higher up the tree. Dreys are made with soft materials like moss, feathers, grass, leaves (not usually seen in bird nests) bark or pine needles. However, if squirrels find natural holes in trees, such as those made by woodpeckers, then they will make use of these too. Squirrels will have separate summer and winter dreys, the latter are more weather resistant while the summer ones are more airy.

Posted in nature

Hints of Summer with Winter Showers; Must be April.

Posted on by BITM

Last week had very mixed weather. Easter Sunday was sunny and warm (a hint that summer isn’t far away) replaced by snow showers and frost on Monday and Tuesday; eventually cold days with occasional sunny spells remained.

I took advantage of the glorious weather last Sunday and went for a walk around my local woodland park. More Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) butterflies were flitting about, along with one Comma (Polygonia c-album) and several Peacock (Aglais io) butterflies too.
Blackthorn was still blossoming in earnest, attracting these butterflies as well as bees and hoverflies.

A Peacock butterfly feeding in the sun.

Pollinators weren’t the only wildlife noticeable; lots of Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) were running between and up the surrounding trees while birds were singing.

I even noticed a couple of Blackcaps (Sylvi atricapilla). I’m not sure if these birds are resident to the woodland or migrated from Europe or northern Africa. Since the 1960’s records of these Warblers remaining in the UK all year round exhist and since then numbers have increased. Those not living the UK full time visit from April or May and remain until September or October.

It is the first time I have ever seen Blackcaps (presumably a pair given how they were interacting with each other).
As they were so high up in the tree, completely unaware I was watching from below, I was unable to actually see their caps (males have black caps while females have a chestnut colouration to the top of their head) however I was able to identify them from their bird song. An example of this can be heard on the RSPB website.

This wasn’t the only amazing experience I had with a bird last week. On the following Tuesday I was privileged to witness a Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) flying around me as I worked, singing as it did so. At one point it landed on a shrub within a few feet from me; I remained as still as I possibly could, watching this amazing spectacle. Usually remaining near cover Wrens are usually heard but not seen so this was lovely to see; plus I managed to obtain footage.

Posted in nature

Natural therapy

Posted on by BITM
Nature enables me to be mindful, focus my attention on the present moment and help combat my anxiety. I am lucky that I work outdoors (no, I don’t mind the rain and cold weather) it enables me to dose up on serotonin and vitamin D as well as get plenty of exercise. Also, I can observe nature as I work which is great therapy.
Last week was busy but I still managed to take time out of my schedule to focus on nature.
The week started joyfully with a Red-tailed bumblebee flying around me while I was working. It was a male drone, identified by its yellow markings, along with the black and red colouring. I love hearing bees buzzing, especially when it is amplified by a trumpet shaped flower or there is a chorus of them, it is so relaxing.
Then on Tuesday, while retrieving a ladder from the shed, I noticed an adult Robin trying to fly in through the shed door. Realising it probably had a nest in there I left the door ajar and walked away. After a few moments I was glad to see it fly into the shed and reappear with a fledged youngster. It was beautiful to witness this.
On my way to work, the next day, I came across a male Pheasant dining out with some sparrows and two squirrels. The pheasant and sparrows were eating some bread and birdseed (left on the lawn by one of my neighbours). The squirrels were attacking the bird feeders. I have heard the pheasant for a few weeks now but this was the first time I had seen him. The sparrows and squirrels were unfazed by him, obviously realising he was no threat. I love the colours of a male pheasant’s plumage. They are so rich and great inspiration for craftwork. I can just imagine knitting a jumper in those colours, now there’s a thought…
During Thursdays lunchtime I watched a Magpie washing its feathers in a puddle. It was splashing around for about 5 minutes, flew into the nearby conifer only to return to the same puddle for another long cleaning and preening session. Watching it made me smile.
The working week ended with a lovely lullaby. I fell asleep listening to the beautiful song of a male Blackbird. He started singing around 10:20pm. He hasn’t sung at that hour since; perhaps he was only visiting the Rowan tree outside. It is also possible that something disturbed his slumber and the lit streetlights confused his body clock. Whatever the reason for his singing at that time of night it was a lovely way to fall asleep.