British Summertime Begins 2022

 OUR AIM IS TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE HABITAT IT PROVIDES FOR WILDLIFE ALONG THE RIVERSIDE

British Summertime began on Sunday 27th March this year, with many signs of Spring rather than summer. It was a cloudy, cool start becoming warmer later, with a North Easterly wind. Robins and Dunnock were singing strongly and Nuthatches were calling from the Oaks. A Green Woodpecker 'yaffled' nearby.

There was plenty of rubbish and litter, spread by those enjoying the previous run of fine days and a bicycle and small scooter, long submerged in the river were hauled out, the river level being low enough to see them. 

The new hedgerow plants, planted two weeks before by volunteers, together with those planted a year ago also by volunteers, were inspected and found to be doing very well, all coming into leaf, although very small when planted.

The wild Blackthorn hedges all have spectacular blossom this year;

it's usually the first hedgerow plant to blossom, well before its

leaves appear. 

Hopefully there will be no severe frosts this spring to destroy it as the fruits in autumn are a main food source for many birds, both residents and migrants in the winter, together with our diverse inhabitants, the small mammals. Last year there was a dearth of fruits, seeds and nuts just about everywhere in the countryside - we are hoping for a far better year.