February 1st, 1999

Relatively mild weather has continued throughout the past week and this has led to further activity from animals preparing for their breeding seasons.

The greater spotted woodpeckers have been drumming again and I have heard the yaffle of the green woodpecker several times. Both of these sounds should be heard more and more frequently in the weeks ahead.

On the 21st, I saw a pair of stock doves high in a beech tree, sitting on a dead branch. They were too far away for me to hear any sounds from them but, through binoculars, I could see the male displaying to the female by leaning forwards and fanning his tail. He held this position for about a second each time. On the same day, I saw three grey squirrels chasing along the path at the bottom of Great Garden. They darted into the trees and continued the chase, at high speed, along some very thin branches and twigs, making a variety of noises as they went. This behaviour is quite common at this time of year as males pursue females and challenge their rivals.

On the last day of January, bluetits were investigating a nestbox in a sycamore which grows alongside Back Lane. This box is one which was used successfully last year. One bird peered in through the hole at the front of the box whilst another called from a nearby branch.

Large patches of snowdrops are now appearing beneath trees in the shrubbery and along the Went. The ones illustrated have simple flowers but many of those in the grounds have double flowers. As well as being very attractive, the snowdrops are also a valuable source of pollen for honeybees at this time of year as there are very few other flowers around. The bees can be seen collecting the pale yellow pollen on mild days.