March in Treherbert woods

Well they say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb but that hasn't really been the case  this year. After all the rain in February at last there's been some sunshine. The mornings are starting off really cold and frosty which is a a welcome change.

The woods are still looking very bare, although the grass has begun growing around the yew tree  again so it's starting to look a bit greener now. 

And everything looks better when the skies are so blue.

The bird song is glorious first thing in the morning, and there have been plenty of chaffinches, greenfinches and even some bullfinches flying around.

There are more leaves appearing on the trees and it's finally beginning to feel as if spring is on the way

But after all the high winds we've had recently there are quite a few trees down in the woods, and some of the paths have been closed for maintenance 

But it's still possible to get up high enough for the beautiful views down in to Treherbert below 

                                     Most of the jelly fungus have gone now, but there are still
                                                        lots of other types around.

The paths haven't dried up completely, and there have been enough showers to leave plenty of muddy puddles, but somehow they don't look quite as bad when the sun is out. 

Especially when they reflect the beautiful blue of the sky.

                                      There are still plenty of autumn colours around

                             But definitely more signs of spring as the trees are starting to bud.

   And even a few splashes of colour as the Coltsfoot and Dandelions begin to make an appearance

     
.    Towards the end of the month there was another heavy frost, a reminder that winter
                                                                hasn't truly left yet

 But despite the cold and frosty mornings the sun doesn't take long to warm up the woods, making  walking a real pleasure again.

                                        And the sun shining through the trees is just beautiful

This cheeky blackbird didn't seem to mind getting cold feet on the frosty ground, but I don't think                                             he'd have had much luck, the ground was rock hard.                     

.

                           
                            The mix of sunshine, frost and blue skies made the views beautiful.

The trees were really bursting into life by the end of the month

                  It was well worth going out at 6.30 in the morning to get this beautiful light

And the bird song at that time of day was incredible. Plenty of blue tits around as well as the usual       finches. I saw a pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers flying past, and heard a Green woodpecker,                                                           although he didn't show himself.                                                       

This little Dunnock was beautiful

                                    And the robin was just as lovely, and very inquisitive

                                But the noisiest by far was the Collared Dove that was flying around.

                        The female blackbird was lovely to watch, she was coming in and out for ages.
                                               

There won't be as many opportunities to visit the woods over the next few weeks as the country is in lockdown now because of Covid 19. It's a frightening time for everyone. But I'm sure I'll manage a few walks  early in the morning before everyone is out and about. 

Stay safe.

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