Harbingers of spring - or could it all end in tears?

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Still in the midst of winter as far as I'm concerned but I'm seeing little signs everywhere - snowdrops to me don't mean spring, but just a cheering, heartwarming winter sight, I'm used to noticing foxes pairing up as we reach the fagend of the hunting season in early February, but I noticed a week or so ago that the starlings are back sorting out the two nest sites (front and back) in the roof soffits - so again, the balcony floor is spotted with burd turd and care is needed to avoid decorated hair when using the gully from the front gate to the back of the house - usually not a problem as the cars are parked on the land the other side of the house so any traffic is between the back door and the vehicles, but as the back door is currently out of commission and jammed shut until a replacement door and frame arrives - the only way to get it open is either with a sledge hammer or ask the Swansea ICE team to pop in for a coffee, and please bring the MOE (Method of Entry) kit with them!
Also the doves and woodpigeons are frantically billing and cooing and both species are busily nest building in the giant Leylandii tree next door.

 

[Spiney Norman]

As soon as February arrived, the sparrows have become raucous and looking for nests. A few years ago, I foolishly put up two triple nest boxes on the wall outside my bedroom window. I now have an annual chattering to wake me up that is both delightful and infuriating.

They have gone quieter in this recent cold snap though.

Spring is thinking about springing, but don't count your furry bees before they are hatched.

 

[Dodge]

Crocus are flowering in Solihull. Seasons are changing Don't forget the bees now have their winter brood break in late November now. That said the weather can still close up and with the bees having more brood and no nectar to come in it's a concern for stores.

 

[WoodenBeam]

Real Springy here in Suffolk

 

[Amari]

As soon as February arrived, the sparrows have become raucous and looking for nests. A few years ago, I foolishly put up two triple nest boxes on the wall outside my bedroom window. I now have an annual chattering to wake me up that is both delightful and infuriating.

They have gone quieter in this recent cold snap though.

Spring is thinking about springing, but don't count your furry bees before they are hatched.

Lucky you! we have very few sparrows in this village and never in our garden - only dunnocks. A month ago I made a semidetached sparrow box from an old brood box but no interest yet. The commonest birds in our garden are gold finches

 

[Swarm]

No different to any other year, the birds have been collecting nesting material and pairing up for the last few weeks, I watched two Collared Doves nest building this morning. This time last year I was discouraging a pair of Magpies from nesting in our Rowan, this year I have a pair visiting to remove dead twigs from the Rose that climbs up into it, so doing me a favour. The Sparrows are busy in the front garden, tearing away at loose foliage and the leaf buds on our Hawthorns are beginning to break.

 

[Murox]

Must be getting near to spring, the buds on my hydrangeas are just starting to open slightly.

 

[Swarm]

Must be getting near to spring, the buds on my hydrangeas are just starting to open slightly.

February 19th last year there were Willows out along the bypass and my bees were taking full advantage.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yl9nc7m9vsurfjn6tz1d1/willow.mp4?rlkey=ij9fw540riy3u4svxzy81hqug&dl=0

 

[The Poot]

February 19th last year there were Willows out along the bypass and my bees were taking full advantage.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yl9nc7m9vsurfjn6tz1d1/willow.mp4?rlkey=ij9fw540riy3u4svxzy81hqug&dl=0

There’s certainly a long period of cold temperatures, with total cloud cover this year that’s keeping the bees from flying.
Tidying up around the hives yesterday I saw three bees only that only emerged as far as the landing board before going back in.

 

[Ely]

The blossom on the plum trees down the local path is just pudding. I'm willing them to hold on until the warm weather starts. They have been to early for the bees in the last few seasons.

 

[enrico]

The blossom on the plum trees down the local path is just pudding. I'm willing them to hold on until the warm weather starts. They have been to early for the bees in the last few seasons.

Pudding or budding

 

[enrico]

Still in the midst of winter as far as I'm concerned but I'm seeing little signs everywhere - snowdrops to me don't mean spring, but just a cheering, heartwarming winter sight, I'm used to noticing foxes pairing up as we reach the *** end of the hunting season in early February, but I noticed a week or so ago that the starlings are back sorting out the two nest sites (front and back) in the roof soffits - so again, the balcony floor is spotted with burd turd and care is needed to avoid decorated hair when using the gully from the front gate to the back of the house - usually not a problem as the cars are parked on the land the other side of the house so any traffic is between the back door and the vehicles, but as the back door is currently out of commission and jammed shut until a replacement door and frame arrives - the only way to get it open is either with a sledge hammer or ask the Swansea ICE team to pop in for a coffee, and please bring the MOE (Method of Entry) kit with them!
Also the doves and woodpigeons are frantically billing and cooing and both species are busily nest building in the giant Leylandii tree next door.

We get the starlings murmuring in their thousands on the levels. Still doing it. When they stop then spring is near.

 

[The Poot]

We get the starlings murmuring in their thousands on the levels. Still doing it. When they stop then spring is near.

It’s a wonderful sight and could teach the Red Arrows a thing or two!

 

[Newbeeneil]

It’s a wonderful sight and could teach the Red Arrows a thing or two!

Went to Brighton pier last week to see the spectacular sight!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

remember once testing our Wheelhouse roof mounted Thermal imaging camera when we were in Brighton marina - some of the sights we saw on the breakwater were indeed spectacular - if not just a little bit worrying

 

[Ely]

Pudding or budding

I didn't notice that. Definitely pudding. Although, plum pudding would be nice. Most of my posts are edited because of mistakes

 

[Curly green finger's]

Crocus are flowering in Solihull. Seasons are changing Don't forget the bees now have their winter brood break in late November now. That said the weather can still close up and with the bees having more brood and no nectar to come in it's a concern for stores.

Next week is to be mild in the teens.

 

[Moobee]

Hellebores & lesser celandines are flowering away but the goat willow is not ready to break out just yet. No bees taking advantage as too cold. Can’t remember the last time we had this many frosty mornings by the sea.

 

[JamezF]

I've not seen a single daffodil open yet. Some years recently they've been all but over by now.

James

 

[Curly green finger's]

Hellebores & lesser celandines are flowering away but the goat willow is not ready to break out just yet. No bees taking advantage as too cold. Can’t remember the last time we had this many frosty mornings by the sea.

Hellebores are flowering here as is the pulmanaria ,primula ,snow drops.
early crocus have flower buds daffs not far behind.
All colony’s are still a good weight from the ivy, my mini nucs are all good but some are hanging out by the entrance.
I have lost two nucs from queen failure so far ( late November )and I’m keeping an eye now at least once a week on all colony’s because now February/march is the time to keep an eye on big colonies for stores.
I have seen no signs of nosema/dysentery unlike this time last year.
I wonder ? None of my colonies had heather honey for stores this winter only summer honey and ivy and 95% had no extra food (honey ) fed back to them.
All mini nucs were fed honey last September/October rather than fondant and in 5 years wintering mini nucs this winter I have lost none and they are the strongest I’ve ever had them.
Fingers crossed all last the rest of the winter because we are half way now imo