Hedgerow News - March

Is The Fresh Face of Spring Just Around The Corner?
by Crowlander Member "Pensioner"

The few brave primulas and pansies have been joined by snowdrops and the bright colours of crocuses. Their brightness has brought much needed colour to the garden with their bright yellows, blues, purples and pinks. What a difference a few weeks make. Any day now the daffodils will be in full flower too. We have come from the snow and cold of winter to spring in such a short time.

Yes, the worst snow for twenty odd years has been and gone. We could be excused for thinking we have had a bad winter. However those of us who have reached that certain age in life, when we don’t count the years anymore, more likely the decades, will remember far harsher winters when we lived with several feet of snow for weeks on end. We will recall when the water mains froze meaning fresh water had to be delivered in a tanker. Oh happy days, the trains still ran as did the buses and we fought bravely to get to school or work depending on our age. Walking miles if we had to, to do what was expected of us all.

Well as I said spring is around the corner. Some trees in my garden have catkins hanging down shaking in the breeze and the fruit trees are showing plump new fruit buds waiting for the warmer weather to come so that they can burst into blossom. We have a few wild plum trees that already have flowers which are adding a softness to the dark background of the hedge along the bottom of the garden. And the roses are reminding me to get out and give them a prune ready for the new seasons blooms.

Various of the birds seem to have paired up already and show signs of nest building. The Sparrows and Dunnocks have been busy taking the seed heads off the pampas grass and disappearing into the hedge with it. Also I believe the Long tailed tits may already be feeding some young in a berberis bush behind the pond. I haven’t dared go too close just in case I frighten them away.

The Blackbirds also seem to be getting themselves sorted out having driven off most of last year’s youngsters. This leaves four pairs and a couple of youngsters who on the whole tolerate each other. Our mornings and evenings have had the benefit of a Thrush who sets himself up on a high branch in one of the trees and sings his heart out, there is a Robin who tries to compete but he doesn’t quite have the voice of the thrush.

The Goldfinches are back having their daily bath in the pond which adds a little interest. I have also noticed the pair of Wrens are back in the area of garden they occupied last summer, so it’s time to set up the hanging basket beside the front door again to see if they use it to nest in again this year.

The Wood Pigeons and Collared doves still seem to be making up their minds as who will partner who this year, it is mildly amusing to watch the advances of the males being shrugged off. If they get too persistent the female flies away leaving one fed up male behind. Who then tries his luck with another female usually with the same result. I expect in time they will sort themselves out.

We also have two male Chaffinches trying to woo one female, something I had thought was already decided weeks ago as she was regularly seen with one male. Now it seems the new kid on the block is trying his luck with her. It has to be said he doesn’t quite match up to his competition, who is much more colourful and confident, but time will tell which one wins the prize.

The female Green woodpecker has been busy checking the lawn for tasty morsels. A few days ago two of them were seen flying over the garden by my wife. So perhaps we may get some youngsters this year. We often hear the Woodpecker calling from the horse chestnut trees in our neighbour’s garden. The call is easily recognised as it is usually made up of four or five notes going down the scale. (Musically speaking) A little like someone laughing.

Yes, with the evenings now drawing out and a little more warmth in the sun, the signs of spring are here, except maybe for a last flurry or two of snow.

Time to get the gardening gloves out!