Another Cold Day

The temperature was hovering around zero this morning and there was a coating of ice on some of the ponds.  These are the ponds where the frogs can be heard and seen first. Instructions to search all the ponds for the first frog were followed, to no avail! 

Plants are showing signs that Spring may be on its way.  In amongst all the lichens the tiny flower buds can be seen on the Blackthorn.

This bud on the willow has just broken enough to show the furry catkin.

The race is on to see who will find the first frog - wonder if this tiny newt will count?  It is, after all an amphibian!  It was found under a log and after a quick photograph was placed back there.  This tiny creature will not return to the ponds to breed for a few years, as it is not yet one year old.

Also found under a log was this beautiful nest belonging to a mouse or vole.

About 4pm all was quiet in the back garden and by the kitchen window, when suddenly there was a flurry of activity as seven Long Tailed Tits dropped in to feed from the newly filled feeders. They fluttered, flew, hopped and jumped between the nuts, seed and fat, staying for just a few minutes before disappearing!

The day had been dark and bitterly cold with a suspicion of snow at times, but by late afternoon there was some blue sky! (It was still bitterly cold!)