February in Treherbert woods

              February has certainly been a month of contrasts. It started off pretty damp and muddy, although not particularly cold. Nothing much has changed in the woods yet, everything is still looking pretty gloomy.

Even the ancient woodland was pretty bedraggled 

But the Woodland Therapy camp site was still looking pretty tidy

The jelly ear fungus was still quite prolific even though it's looking past it's best

The carpet of Autumn leaves is still quite colourful, but it's pretty soggy now rather than crunchy underfoot

                                       The lichen is thriving through all the wet weather

And there's plenty of holly around

There are plenty of fallen branches after all the high winds, providing some great habitats for the birds and bugs, although there was very little around when I walked through during the first week of February, other than a few blackbirds, robins and finches. Even the woodpecker didn't put in an appearance.

The ivy was certainly doing well.

The area around the Pixie Bridge was still looking lovely despite all the mud and gloomy skies.

And the stream was flowing nicely after all the rain.

A few days later and the weather changed completely, blue skies, beautifull sunshine and a lovely frosty morning.

The muddy puddles had all frozen over making the ground beautifully crisp and crunchy to walk on

And there was a definite hint of spring in the air with all the bird song. There was a beautiful Song Thrush singing his heart out the whole time I was wandering around. And allthough I didn't see one I could hear a woodpecker knocking in the distance.

                            The sunlight catching the frost on the leaves was beautiful.

Not nearly as much water flowing under the Pixie Bridge now the rain had stopped for a day or two.

The scarlet elf caps were still really pretty although definitely past their best.

But a few days later it was back to grey skies ans rain, muddy paths and soggy trees.

   Storm Dennis had arrived and left chaos in it's wake with fallen trees and branches.

But the lichen was still thriving, and there were a few signs of spring waiting around the corner.

The stream under the Pixie Bridge was in full flow again.

But unfortunately the water level had risen so much that the path was suffering in places and the                                                ground around the bridge was starting to deteriorate.

But the birds were getting ready for spring with more and more putting in an appearance. The goldfinches were gorgeous whenever they flew in, sometimes as many as 20 or more flying in and                   out providing a much welcome splash of colour amongst all the grey mud

A few days later and storm Dennis had past and once again we had blue skies, sunshine and a frosty morning. The birds were in fine voice and I was serenaded by a lovely little robin as I walked around.

The views out over the valley were beautiful, with a light dusting of snow

       
    And despite the snow and chilly temperature spring was definitely in the air with plenty
                                                               of frogspawn around.

And some pretty little siskins, although only one of them hung around long enough for a photo.

                    The paths were white and crunchy once again, with a thick layer of frost.

                                      And the yew tree was looking beautiful in the sunlight.

                               Especially as the daffodils were beginning to bloom all around it.

But the highlight of the day was definitely seeing the Greater Spotted Woodpecker at last. After                                  weeks of hearing him flying around he finally put in an appearance.

But yet again the sunshine didn't last long, and the month ended with yet another wet and wild few                                                           days, flooding the stream once more.
 

 But at least we've had a few glimpses of spring and know that she's waiting just around the corner.                                                  Let's hope she doesn't take too long