Author Topic: Signs of Spring (Read 224007 times)

phantasmagoriana · « **Reply #1575 on:** 04 February, 2023, 06:20:21 pm »

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 February, 2023, 06:29:23 pm

Definitely a "softness" in the air the last few days. I don't know quite what produces this quality; it's not temperature, maybe it's a combination of temperature, humidity, air pressure...

I've always felt the air changes somehow in spring and autumn - generally around early March and early September, though in recent years it seems to have crept slightly earlier. No idea what it is, but I notice it (though it's not yet happened this year around here).

rafletcher · « **Reply #1576 on:** 07 February, 2023, 02:46:02 pm »

Well and truly underway. Aconites, Thomasinias and Crocuses, Sarcacocca smelling wonderful, even a couple of the frost-lasted Daphe's flowers are opening. Loads of bulbs coming up, and a few leaves coming on the roses.

ETA - yesterday..

Spring by Richard Fletcher, on Flickr

andrew_s · « **Reply #1577 on:** 20 February, 2023, 10:54:23 pm »

First wild daffs of the year on Saturday. 5 days earlier than last year.

Kim · « **Reply #1578 on:** 21 February, 2023, 12:02:01 am »

Spotted a solitary daff in full bloom on a random bit of verge earlier. I've seen plenty of others in more usual places, but those ones still have a bit of work to do.

T42 · « **Reply #1579 on:** 21 February, 2023, 07:47:16 am »

The usual carpet of crocuses in front of my workshop and Arcturus peeking over the neighbour's roof when I closed the shutters last night.

But on 21st Feb 2021 we had bees as well. Not yet this year.

OTOH we have got the usual temperature swings from Softshell jacket & winter tights at 8 am to sweltering in 13°C after lunch.

graculus · « **Reply #1580 on:** 21 February, 2023, 11:11:21 am »

The frogs were in fine voice a few nights ago and there was spawn in our pond this morning.

Pingu · « **Reply #1581 on:** 21 February, 2023, 11:20:24 am »

Quote from: graculus on 21 February, 2023, 11:11:21 am

The frogs were in fine voice a few nights ago and there was spawn in our pond this morning.

How far south are you?

graculus · « **Reply #1582 on:** 21 February, 2023, 11:39:20 am »

Quote from: Pingu on 21 February, 2023, 11:20:24 am

Quote from: graculus on 21 February, 2023, 11:11:21 am
The frogs were in fine voice a few nights ago and there was spawn in our pond this morning.

How far south are you?

Wolverhampton, so 52 deg 35 min North according to Wikipedia

Pingu · « **Reply #1583 on:** 21 February, 2023, 11:47:04 am »

We should be getting hot frog action up here soon then. I've got pictures of frogs in a neighbour's pond dated 24th Feb 2021.

Mrs Pingu · « **Reply #1584 on:** 21 February, 2023, 04:39:13 pm »

https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/projects/pondnet/pondnet-spawn-survey-2023/?fbclid=IwAR0xJeRgk8OnLpNd_0gsqLcrvCfIpgRQR7XE2M_5HMHANAr1sYUQ1QtjSxQ

You can report your sightings and get them put on a map... (Which as far as I can see they post on twitter and Facebook when they update it)

Wowbagger · « **Reply #1585 on:** 21 February, 2023, 05:05:42 pm »

My brother posted a picture of copulating frogs last Friday, 17th.

hellymedic · « **Reply #1586 on:** 21 February, 2023, 06:07:58 pm »

My friend ib Kingston on Thames has Facebooked much spawn in the last few days.

Pingu · « **Reply #1587 on:** 21 February, 2023, 06:29:08 pm »

Quote from: T42 on 21 February, 2023, 07:47:16 am

But on 21st Feb 2021 we had bees as well. Not yet this year.

Two sightings of honey bees in our garden today.

rafletcher · « **Reply #1588 on:** 24 February, 2023, 09:09:08 am »

Cat sick on the kitchen floor. As she's a short hair that means she's in spring moult

.

T42 · « **Reply #1589 on:** 24 February, 2023, 03:00:04 pm »

MrsT telling me "Of course there are bees on the crocuses!"

Wowbagger · « **Reply #1590 on:** 26 February, 2023, 08:22:24 pm »

Crocuses are quite a good source of early pollen.

andrew_s · « **Reply #1591 on:** 26 February, 2023, 11:51:01 pm »

First primroses out today

T42 · « **Reply #1592 on:** 27 February, 2023, 08:30:50 am »

Strong NE wind & bloody cold out. Smell of slurry on the wind. Leaves have sprung out all over our willow in the last three days.

rafletcher · « **Reply #1593 on:** 27 February, 2023, 11:37:42 am »

Plum and May blossom just breaking. Wild garlic coming up. Great tits making terratorial noises. Sleet.

T42 · « **Reply #1594 on:** 27 February, 2023, 01:09:53 pm »

Right enough, we had a flurry of snow yesterday & I had a bit of hail on my Saturday ride. Think I'll go back to bed.

Flite · « **Reply #1595 on:** 27 February, 2023, 02:34:48 pm »

Hedgehogs out of hibernation and eating well

Nuncio · « **Reply #1596 on:** 27 February, 2023, 05:49:20 pm »

Lambs!

hellymedic · « **Reply #1597 on:** 27 February, 2023, 08:14:57 pm »

One of next door's fruit trees is starting to blossom.
All of mine are yet to bloom. I think my mirabelle is usually early but hasn't had much water recently.
Suspect house next door retains more rain.

More ice cream chimes at the weekend...

rafletcher · « **Reply #1598 on:** 04 March, 2023, 03:59:57 pm »

First picking of wild garlic leaves to garnish my lunchtime soup. Along with a few chives.

Mrs Pingu · « **Reply #1599 on:** 04 March, 2023, 04:36:59 pm »

We won't see wild garlic for weeks yet. All I've got are some snowdrops which are creeping under the fence from next door and the Spanish bluebells are popping up. And a little bit of mint has just begun to return after I hacked it all back due to powdery mildew last year.