January 2012 Nature Notes

by David Tidmarsh - 12:24 on 09 January 2012

                                       Ken’s Nature notes.

Winter Jasmine is now out in the garden and we have just had the first flush of flower on one of the Hellebores, this one is a lovely dark pink.
It is about the only colour about at the moment apart from the berries that adorn the hedgerows.
Most of the leaves have now left the trees with the exception of the evergreen and semi evergreen trees and shrubs. The holly is always a welcoming sight with its wonderful array of red and yellow fruits, these should last the birds though to the Spring.
The sparrow population are still enjoying feasting on the seed we put out on a daily basis, one comment from a friend on why is it only sparrows and starlings that are coming into the garden? Well I think once the sparrows have dominated a feeding space they are determined to hold onto it  and they need feeding just as much as any bird, so keep feeding.
The trees can now be seen in their naked beauty, with the shape and form to be admired in the correct light. Last week I was walking through the Churchyard and it must have been about three thirty and the last rays of light showed the trees off well. One of those moments when you wish to yourself that you should have brought the camera as the branches are displayed in full 3D and high definition. 
Leaf litter now adorns the footpaths and forest floors, these will soon rot down to provide plant food for spring growth in following  years. Hedgehogs will also be happy with any piles that they have found for their winter hibernation, lucky things, sleeping all winter. As you walk past the Church the Cotoneaster has trapped masses of leaves and I always thing this must be hedgehog heaven hotel.
Some of our Conservation Group are about to continue with our woodland maintenance at New Lambton with the removal of some of the Poplar trees which need to be removed to allow the other trees to mature. These poplar trimmings and stumps will provide habitat for mosses, lichen and fungus  to grow which in turn will feed and give shelter to birds and mammals of the smaller variety.
Well we are getting through the Winter quite well and the days can only get brighter.
Ken.

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