March Notes 2012

by David Tidmarsh - 20:27 on 11 March 2012

                                       Ken’s Nature notes.

Well I might have spoken too soon about the warm February that we have just had, but we could still get some snow in late March early April, we used to call it the “Lambing Storm”, during my early working days on the Lambton Estate.
Lovely sight this morning was a Cherry tree  full of blossom, I only just noticed it by the few blossom petals that had been dislodged by some heavy rain, the bees must be very pleased to be collecting some early pollen after the long winter. Blackthorn are also showing off their blossom which always looks good against the dark, bare branches. I also noticed how some hawthorn leaves are nearly fully out, compared to others in the same hedgerow that are only in the first stages of bud. Nature has her own rules, some daffodils were a bit early a couple of weeks ago and sadly they have paid the price of being too eager by being frozen off by a late frost, I suppose that is what natural selection is all about, the sensible and steady plants are the ones that will survive only coming to maturity when conditions are right.
I was observing a Hazel bush and whilst admiring the catkins, which always remind me of lambs tails, I noticed for the first time ever, tiny reddish pink flowers about the size of a pin head. These flowers will be followed by the new seasons leaves, but I have never noticed the flowers before and it just goes to show you there is always something new to learn and to see.
It has been a busy time lately at New Lambton, with funding from the Wear Rivers Trust, that has financed the creation of some new paths, plus mixed hedges being planted and over four hundred trees to improve the area. This project will be further enhance with the help of the Woodland Trust who have donated over a hundred trees to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee, to be planted on March 17th, hopefully by members of the community.
Our next task, and I hope everyone who walks around this area, is to monitor any vandalism that may occur and if it involves trees being uprooted, to replant them as soon as possible.
I think this has been a fantastic improvement to this area, but as in life you cannot please everyone. 
Kingfishers have been observed flying the length of the Lumley Park Burn from the Floaters Mill pub, along Breckon Hill wood to the hairpin bend below the A1M.  This is really good news and further ongoing improvements to the water quality can only encourage more of these to nest and breed in our area.
It is a constant task to keep the Lumley Park Burn clean but it is worth it to see Dippers, Kingfishers and other water loving birds setting up home in our area.
If you have never been to New Lambton plantation or walked the path through Breckon Hill, I would encourage you to have a look for yourselves and let me know your views. 
Ken.

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