Winter weather began to change in the 2nd week in February, with heavy rain causing the river to overflow it's banks. Nothing unusual at any time of the year - it went unnoticed by most as it happened during the night, just leaving some pools of water on the riverside. Looking carefully, one could trace the rush and force of the water by the river bank grasses and dry stalks, all flattened down where the water flowed back into the river.
The banks now looking very bare apart for bramble leaves.
Each day seemed to be warmer than the previous day, the river level dropping, revealing scoured vertical banks. By mid February it felt like April or even May. On 15th school children went on strike to teach their teachers and parents about Climate Change, with appropriate weather!
On the same day, I saw the first Brimstone butterfly ranging quite fast along the hedgerows and another two days later. On 16th Song thrushes were singing loudly, small flocks of starlings were seen and a grey heron flying along the river course, on it's way to hunt for frogs. Nuthatches were calling from trees occupied by numerous long-tailed tits and others.
A green carpet of Wild Garlic bursting through the dense leaf-litter. It will be a while before the leaves grow large and flowers appear.
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