April Nature Notes

by David Tidmarsh - 09:53 on 16 April 2014

Kens Nature Notes

Nature is in its 3D mode, Daffodils, Dandelions and Daisies. The daffs have just about had their day but the dandelions will be around for a while yet, resilient as ever, never needing to be replanted or divided they give a splash of colour whether you like them or loath them and if you have an average lawn you will more than likely have daises popping up all over it.

Whilst out for a walk yesterday I was blessed with the sighting of a Kingfisher who was flying upstream on Lumley Burn, it is always great to see this beautiful bird and hopefully as the Burn gets cleaner with more fish for the Kingfisher to feed on it will be a more common sight.

Bournmoor Conservation group have been strengthening the bank sides with willow posts, this is know as spilling, we hammer posts of willow into the sides of the stream and weave more willow between these posts to prevent erosion of the bank sides, this method has proved its worth over the years as the willow grows and its roots hold onto the soil preventing the banks being washed away during flooding.

I mentioned being out for a walk and walking alone now since our pet dog Jack who was fifteen, died last month. He was always good company even though the last year of his life he had slowed down a lot. He was always in photographs that I would have taken to check the height of the grass on the footpaths before and after I had cut it.

His ashes are now helping and growing into a Turkey Oak tree which we have in a pot in our garden, so he is still with us in a different form and still in our hearts.

The swans have returned again this year to hopefully nest and rear some signets these are up stream from the Floaters and have been regular visitors to the area for a number of years. It is often a worry that they will be left in peace to rear their young and all you can do is hope that they can.

There is a fantastic cherry tree in full bloom on one of our footpaths leading out of the estate, it is brilliant white and the little bit of sunshine we had the other day really showed it off for all its worth. Growing very close to it in another garden was a lovely Mock orange shrub with its bright yellow blooms, really brightening up the day and as we edge into better weather we should have more fantastic sights to enjoy as more trees and shrubs erupt into glorious bloom. Keep the sunglasses handy.

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