Signs of Spring were put on hold when a freezing cold wind blew in from the east during the week before our meet on 25th February 2018. Overnight frost had made the ground hard and the bitter ENE wind quickly dried out any remaining damp. As the conditions were less muddy and slippery, it was possible to haul out two 'For Sale' signs from the Arun where the banks are steep. Some of us could remember winters here when snowdrifts piled up against our doors and the river actually froze over in parts and desolately bare banks offered no shelter for wildlife. This time the river was flowing well and the sun shone. Birds were singing - it was very good to hear greenfinches joining the song thrushes and robins. Snow fell the following day but most of it was blown away and over the coming days the area escaped the heavy snowfalls experienced elsewhere.
OAK buds forming on an old oak on the river bank
on 16th February 2018 give the outer branches of the whole tree a reddish tinge.
and on the same day, the first snowdrops appear on the river bank,
the flowers not yet open. Last years dry grasses and leaves form
shelter for wildlife all along the banks, and plenty of acorns lie hidden here.
