Spring is on its way

OK, so my goal of posting something every day isn't going too well. I'd like to blame - in no particular order - the weather, having a cold and being busy.

Today I emerged from the office for a quick potter around at lunchtime. First thing I noticed was how warm it felt - about 6 degrees, I reckon. Compared to last week, when it barely got above zero, it felt positively pleasant.

I'm sure that the amount of bird noise has increased, too.

Blue Tits seem to be calling from every tree. There were several Great Tits singing already - they've clearly noticed that it's light for longer each day. Robins were also everywhere, but they sing all year so perhaps they don't count. Nuthatches are getting noisy. I'm going to have to read up to find out which of their varied noises is their actual song, but there was a lot of trilling going on today. It's good to hear.

I can't help but listen to birds wherever I am. In a meeting yesterday, we had a window open because it was so stuffy inside. I was paying attention, but I couldn't help but hear the raspberry noises from a flock of Long-tailed Tits from the birch just outside. I watched them flit past but tried not to make it obvious I was distracted. Later, I covertly listened to some Siskins - perhaps at the top of the tree? - and then a Goldfinch.

I felt a tiny bit smug and subversive that I was enjoying the birds while simultaneously in a meeting. Which was very interesting, obviously.

Bursting into song

It was cold, cloudy, windy and raining when I went out for a quick walk at lunchtime today. There wasn't a lot to see, but what struck me was the number of birds singing.

They were everywhere. By the swimming pool, a blackbird was atop a tree and in full song (though perhaps in need of a little practice). Robins lurked in every bush, and by standing in one spot, I could hear five different Great Tits singing. Further round the footpath, Coal Tits squeaked from the pine trees and Goldcrests wheezed away.

Which reminds me: as we left the house to go to Swiss Gardens for the Firecrest on the 6th, there was the distant rattle of a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker from down the road. And when I stepped outside the office to fill up the bird feeder on Monday, I heard a shower of Nuthatch calls and the 'kick' of another Great Spot.

I can't wait for a few weeks' time when things are really getting going.