23 February 2023
The Rooks on the lane had been frequenting different trees to the those containing the seven nests of the existing rookery for a number of weeks. Then, yesterday – 22 February – I saw the rooks nest building in trees 300m north of the old Rookery. I’ve no idea why they have chosen to relocate as there was no disturbance or changes at the old rookery that I was aware of. It’s not something I’ve witnessed before and I don’t how common this behaviour is.
There was frog spawn in the garden pond on the 22 February. Just one clump, but this is the earliest I can remember. When I was younger, around St Patricks day was when I expected to start seeing frog spawn. It’s been a very mild winter but I’d be very surprised if the pond doesn’t freeze over a least a couple more times in early Spring.