Signs of spring in North Wales

[Cycling Naturalist]

I've just been gardening in sunshine and spring is on its way here. I saw the following:

1. Daffodils in the back garden are forming buds and will be flowering before the month is out.
2. All the snow had gone from the garden and now seems to be confined to the hills.
3. The ground isn't frozen.
4. There were signs of grass growth on a sheltered part of the lawn by the greenhouse.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

I've noticed a few short skirts and plunge necklines down here, so it must be getting warmer.

The women are still in their winter clothes though

 

[Plax]

There is still some rouge snow in my garden that feels quite solid.

 

[Cycling Naturalist]

There is still some rouge snow in my garden that feels quite solid.

Is it that fungus that only appears on grass when it has been under snow for 8 weeks?

 

[Glow worm]

No snow here- in fact not that much all winter apart from a 6" fall before Christmas. On another Spring related note, I'd be interested to know if any birders out there have seen any swallows yet? I saw 4 sand martins last week, but so far no swallows. In the last 5 years the first swallow has returned to the barn behind my house on the 1st Saturday in April every year. So far no sign- he's got about 2hrs of daylight left to make it 6 yrs running! (Not the same bird I guess but it would be great if it was).
Also- ospreys are well into their journey's back to Scotland. You can follow the progress of half a dozen or so which have been satellite tagged, at this site: http://www.roydennis.org/osprey/
(Click on the individual bird on the left and then 'Spring 2010 migration). An osprey called 'Beatrice' has nearly made it home, having reached Pitlochry last night from her wintering grounds in Southern Spain. Fingers crossed, she should be home by now (Inverness area).

 

[Aperitif]

"Signs of spring in North Wales"

"Solicitor wears out yet another mattress"

 

[rich p]

I saw celandine, daffs, primroses, wood anemone and 2 bluebells when I was up country on the bike this morning. Soon be summer down here

 

[Muddyfox]

The daffs are in full bloom down here in Devon and the primroses are starting to appear in the hedgerows

Wont be long untill the bluebells are out

Simon

 

[Plax]

Is it that fungus that only appears on grass when it has been under snow for 8 weeks?

LOL.

It's still on the roof at the back as well, will that grow fungus?

 

[Cycling Naturalist]

LOL.

It's still on the roof at the back as well, will that grow fungus?

Although the snow is off the garden, it's still not showing any signs of shifting higher up. I found three dandelions starting to grow in a sheltered part of the front.

 

[Bromptonaut]

Commented elsewhere on absence of Swallows so far in Northants. Usually appear around end of March with House Martins and Swifts in early May.

 

[Cycling Naturalist]

Commented elsewhere on absence of Swallows so far in Northants. Usually appear around end of March with House Martins and Swifts in early May.

Usually within a day or so of April 16th up here. I have heard a chiffchaff though.

 

[661-Pete]

No sign of bluebells out - even here in this part of Sussex celebrated as "Bluebell City"... in a mild spring we generally have them out (along with all the bluebell tourists) in early April.

Primroses - yes. Celandine - yes. Stitchwort - yes. Sweet violets - yes. Wood anemones - yes - they have been playing hide-and-seek but they're there all right. And today I noticed the first lady's-smocks out. And yesterday we saw the leaves of cowslips and some signs of impending flowers albeit tightly-clenched in the bud stage. But bluebells: no, only the leaves.

Remember - this is a 'normal' Spring. Previous Springs - what with reports of cowslips in March or some-such nonsense - are freaks.

I can't answer for what Patrick may or may not have discovered. We are miles apart....

 

[snorri]

Also- ospreys are well into their journey's back to Scotland. You can follow the progress of half a dozen or so which have been satellite tagged, at this site:

Interesting website, thank you.
I have not seen any here so far this year, but I keep a look out for them fishing as my meal simmers on the hob.

 

[Cycling Naturalist]

I can't answer for what Patrick may or may not have discovered. We are miles apart....

Indeed, I can still see snow from where I'm sitting.