Wild West Yorkshire nature diary, Saturday 16th April 1999
A YOUNG RABBIT, a rare visitor, scampers into the back garden, disappears amongst the rhubarb, then bunny hops across the veg. beds. It seems so cute, but thank goodness, for the moment, we have our seedlings under cover.
At the other end of the county Holmfirth has six inches of snow, here the beck is in well up with brownish run off, lapping around the Wild Garlic which has just started to flower. It smells delicious, I like my woodland with plenty of garlic.
I don't remember the last time the field known as the Strands was as waterlogged as it is this spring. Two pairs of Coots exchange aggressive postures at the edge of the marsh while, two pairs of Mallard stake out the green slopes opposite.
A Cormorant circles, touches down on the canal, then dives for a minute or so. Emerging without a fish, it then takes flight, kicking up a frothy wake along the still surface of the canal.
Our first hirundine circles over the canal, whether it was a House Martin or a Swallow we can't decide. It disappears as a flock of twenty Linnets bob across.
We disturb an adult Heron which in turn ousts a juvenile from a rushy pond which they have both been fishing.
Our first Willow Warbler sings its wistful cascade in the copse on the Balk. We then see two more seeking their insect prey in the hedges and birches. It is hard to believe these small birds have just made the journey from Africa.
A YOUNG RABBIT, a rare visitor, scampers into the back garden, disappears amongst the rhubarb, then bunny hops across the veg. beds. It seems so cute, but thank goodness, for the moment, we have our seedlings under cover.
At the other end of the county Holmfirth has six inches of snow, here the beck is in well up with brownish run off, lapping around the Wild Garlic which has just started to flower. It smells delicious, I like my woodland with plenty of garlic.
I don't remember the last time the field known as the Strands was as waterlogged as it is this spring. Two pairs of Coots exchange aggressive postures at the edge of the marsh while, two pairs of Mallard stake out the green slopes opposite.
A Cormorant circles, touches down on the canal, then dives for a minute or so. Emerging without a fish, it then takes flight, kicking up a frothy wake along the still surface of the canal.
Our first hirundine circles over the canal, whether it was a House Martin or a Swallow we can't decide. It disappears as a flock of twenty Linnets bob across.
We disturb an adult Heron which in turn ousts a juvenile from a rushy pond which they have both been fishing.
Our first Willow Warbler sings its wistful cascade in the copse on the Balk. We then see two more seeking their insect prey in the hedges and birches. It is hard to believe these small birds have just made the journey from Africa.