I'm lucky to have a pleasant walk next to a stream. I like to wander half way along and then cut back through Hopgarden, take the alleyway and then home down the Shipbourne Road.
Its usually peaceful, only meeting dog walkers, so stopping and listening to the birds as well as observing the squirrels is quite a joy.
It's been really frosty recently and having noted some of my garden plants collapsing and accepting winter is at long last here (even if its only brief) I was keen to see how the woodland path was doing.
The cow parsley is already six inches (15 cms) above the ground and is probably two months ahead of itself. Some of the wild garlic leaves were just pushing through the leaf litter and many of the buds on the trees were already showing some signs of opening.
I was surprised to note male catkins were just opening and some trees showed signs of that very delicate green you only get when a leaf is busy unfurling in that heady few weeks during early Springtime.
The bird song was definitely changing and their plumage was one of mating not coping with winter.
As usual, the amorous male pigeons pushed themselves on the hapless females and squirrels were playing rather than just defending territory.
I saw one egret minding its own business hunting sticklebacks I presume, only to be chased off by an over zealous terrier.
I've seen a few zinnias hanging on in sheltered gardens and one front garden was covered by shrubs sporting bright yellow daisy flowers!
I looked and thought back; this is meant to be dreary January, cold, wet and lifeless.
Well I'll give you cold and wet with spells of almost barmy warm.
But January?
No, I think its February come early.
I wonder when the natural world round here will presume its March?
🤷♀️pass.
