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

[BeeAdmin]

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.

If you can get a pic of the foxes I would be ever so happy. They are one of my favorite animals. We have them in my region, but it's rare to see them and when you do they are usually robbing a chicken coup.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

We have them in my region, but it's rare to see them and when you do they are usually robbing a chicken coup.

same here - or killing lambs, I don't go out hunting any more to get the chance to take photos, but there is a woman who buys stock feed at the same store as me who has pet rescue foxes, I'll have to ask Tanya (who owns the store) whether she has any photographs when I next call to deliver some honey or pick up chicken feed

 

[madasafish]

We have a fox's den 100 meters away from our garden; at the foot of a very tall tree. See their footprints in the snow.
Still freezing overnight and struggling to 4C in daytime : not seen a bee flying for weeks,

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

We have a fox's den 100 meters away

handy for sighting the rifle in

 

[Erichalfbee]

If you can get a pic of the foxes I would be ever so happy

Here's one for you...not mine though. Chris Packham's

 

[WoodenBeam]

Here's one for you...not mine though. Chris Packham's

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They are beautiful looking creatures especially in that setting.
Trouble is it’s eyeing up the chicken coup and with a view not to killing one but all of them…….
I’m more in keeping with more with JB on this, plenty of photo’s of foxes but not so scenic. I do appreciate and admire but also in favour of trimming up numbers and managing.

 

[Amari]

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

James

Walked round the winter garden at NT Anglesey Abbey near Cambridge today and saw daffs, witch-hazel, and snowdrops = 400 different varieties - a galanthophile's nirvana.
Sorry, took some pics but they now go to iCloudphoto and I haven't yet learnt how to upload them on to here

 

[Jules59]

My 4 hives have all put on weight since I last weighed them, 17 days ago - an average increase of 2.4 kg - which surprised me.
That also takes into account the 1kg of fondant they all were given a while back.

Should be interesteing to see what they do tomorrow as the temp is forecast to be 14C

 

[JamezF]

Saw a queen Buff-tailed Bumble Bee flying this morning when I was out in the veggie plot.

James

 

[Curly green finger's]

Here's one for you...not mine though. Chris Packham's

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Do you follow Chris on fb he has some lovely photos of foxes on his fb page

 

[Erichalfbee]

Do you follow Chris on fb he has some lovely photos of foxes on his fb page

I used to but he has become irrational and extreme.

 

[Moobee]

I used to but he has become irrational and extreme.

Indeed, apparently he thinks we should just let Asian Hornets alone as they ‘only eat a few honeybees’. Idiot. What about everything else they like to snack on…

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

My opinion on him has never changed.
I always thought he was an attention seeking idiot who is a danger to the natural environment.

 

[Parsonage Bees]

My 4 hives have all put on weight since I last weighed them, 17 days ago - an average increase of 2.4 kg - which surprised me.
That also takes into account the 1kg of fondant they all were given a while back.

Should be interesteing to see what they do tomorrow as the temp is forecast to be 14C

That would surprise me too. Not seen that this early.
I did something like this when I measured without and then with the roof. ?

When this rain stops the hazel catkins and the snowdrops are waiting for them tomorrow.