The first frogspawn appeared when there was ice on the pond most mornings. A few days later we have slightly warmer conditions, and every day we can watch from the kitchen window. The surface is in perpetual motion as male frogs splash and swim in search of a female. Some of them must be successful, for the number of blobs of spawn has increased slightly.
There is no photo of this, because as soon as I get within range the frogs (maybe half a dozen) dive down and disappear.
In an earlier post, about bird-feeders, I commented about the relative lack of birds during the winter, and the expectation of seasonal migration. Well, in the last few days (that warmer weather, maybe) there have been changes. The foraging blackbirds every day are clearly a pair, male and female. For most of the winter we were visited only by a male. We have not seen a starling since, I think, September. But yesterday a pair were at the fat-balls. There is a fairly substantial evergreen two gardens away, and I think they nest there. Certainly in previous years we have seen flocks of young starlings in April and May gobbling up the fat-balls. Something similar happens with magpies - though we have seen one or two of those over the winter.
A very pleasing first sighting of spring was goldfinches. After a winter without them, three were on the bird-feeder (sunflower hearts) on Wednesday. Perhaps they were just passing through, but certainly in previous years we have had families on the feeders in April and May. No doubt every year will be different. (Memo: Clean bird feeders.)
There are many beautiful pieces of writing about spring. Lots of glorious poems one can think of. Not as well known as it should be is George Orwell's "Some thoughts on the Common Toad". Do read it. Here is the link to it.
Much of the news is depressing. But - and this is Orwell's message - we can still enjoy the spring.
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