First signs of spring

OK, I know we're still in the depths of winter, with much to come, but spring is waiting in the wings!  It will be great to hear from you any details of these first signs be it early nesting birds, the first blossom, or a butterfly venturing forth in weak sunshine.  If you have dates from previous years for comparison, these will certainly add interest, but we'll gradually build these up in years to come.  Look forward to hearing from you - I'm sure it won't be long!

Went to plant Winter Pansies in my large tubs in front garden, after removing the sad geraniums- only to find that the daffodils in there were already poking through by several inches!!  (I live in Cheshire in the N. West of England, by the way)

All the bulbs are showing here as well in Shropshire - same as you I found them when I removed summer bedding about a week ago - maybe the fact that there were under the alysum encouraged them to start sprouting!

My daffs are also sprouting, and I have some wild primroses in full bloom

HI Val

Last year, DECEMBER, I was mesmerised by two Magpies building their nest in one of the trees at the back of my house. I was also struck by the size of nesting materiel.......huge branches!!!!!

Will keep my eyes pealed for this years antics.

Maureen (alias HilaryH)

Well so far I've noticed my teasels have sprouted..

Spring Irises blooming in garden of neighbour across the road!!

Never mind spring - yesterday's snow has finally driven the birds to my feeders for the first time since I moved house.  A blue tit, a chaffinch, and a beautiful glossy-feathered starling.  Might not sound like much, but for 3 months the feeders have hung empty and forlorn so three birds is thriling to me!

Would love to hear what else has turned up with the change in weather. 

L

Good for you LB! :-) Siskins usually appear in my garden when it turns cold so will keep an eye out!

I was very surprised to see catkins on hazels the other day, but was the told that they're always out about now! Never noticed it before!!

LB ... I'll keep my fingers crossed they increase in number and stay faithful to you when the weather improves. It just goes to show that patience rewards eventually!

 I've had more than my normal bird count today with 2 inches of snow on the ground

That is good news LB. We have put an extra feeder out today to cope with the increase in our bird numbers.

Good news LB! Hope they continue to flock to your garden seeing as you've gone to so much effort

Like many of you have quite a bit of snow around today so hard to see if anything new has come up yet even though I've planted lots of bulbs but my Mexican orange blossom is still in full flower.

Yes, many early signs of spring will be now covered by a blanket of snow!  The up-side is that, as many of you have commented, birds will be very active in gardens in their search for food.  Unusual species to watch out for include fieldfares, redwings, bramblings and siskins.  Waxwings may also appear but could find the supply of their favourite berries very much depleted.  We have though, had one report of an early nesting song thrush.  This bird has chosen a warm, sheltered but rather unusual nest site - traffic lights in Leeds city centre - the amber one actually.  One bird is sitting tight on the nest so perhaps it contains eggs.  We'll wait to see exactly what develops - hatches.

went walking the otherday in my local woods near IronBridge and noticed the snowdrops was pokeing out above the snow.. they are nearly ready to flower, seen Robins Mateing in my garden... first egg layed in nest ( in old kettle) last year FED 28TH so they could be early again this year......blue tits are also visiting both of my nest boxes on the side of the house...

My Camelia buds attempted to open up today even in the snow which I thought was bizarre. It was starting to thaw but still snowing, maybe plants are confused aswell.