March marks the beginning of meteorological spring. This is the system used by forecasters, where the months of the year are divided so that each season consists of three full months. It keeps things simple.
On our walks recently, the paths had been drying out nicely, although after the latest rain, they are probably full of puddles again.
Of course, there is also astronomical (or vernal) spring, which this year begins on the 20th of March.
Back in our own garden we’ve reached the stage where several areas need a bit of renovation. We’ve started work on one of the beds and it has almost been cleared out. Now comes the enjoyable part — deciding what we’re going to plant there.
Our summer house doubles as winter storage for fruit and some vegetables. Now that most of them have been used up, I’ve given the place a good tidy. Last week, we even managed to sit in there and enjoy a cup of coffee for the first time this year, which felt like a small sign that warmer days might not be too far away.
There are also encouraging signs in the garden itself. Some of the perennials are beginning to spring back into life.
The hyacinths are now putting on a lovely display both in the garden and in tubs. Once the hyacinths in the tubs have finished flowering, we usually plant them straight out into the garden so they can come back again in future years.
In my last post, I described the display of crocuses in a local park as a huge carpet. Last week, however, I had to rethink that description. During a walk at Temple Newsam our attention was drawn to a vast planting beneath some trees in the distance. There must have been millions of crocuses stretching across the ground. Compared to that display, the crocuses in the park suddenly seemed more like a doormat than a carpet!
It isn’t only the crocuses that are putting on a show. The daffodils have now started to join in as well and we’ve noticed quite a few different varieties beginning to appear.
We also spotted the first camellia flowering at Temple Newsam.
Back in the local park the first tree blossom is beginning to appear and it looks beautiful. I think the tree may be a wild cherry.
Every year we also notice one lonely clump of blue scillas growing on a bank beside the path. I often wonder how many people walk past it without ever noticing.
Recently, whenever we have visited Temple Newsam, we’ve noticed a male goosander and two females that seem to have taken up residence on the lake. We’ve been trying to get a good photograph of them, but they usually stay on the far side of the water which makes it difficult. Last week we finally managed to get a couple of pictures — the best so far.
Goosanders dive underwater to catch small fish and the edges of their beaks are serrated to help them grip their slippery prey. I did start wondering what might happen if they decide to breed here this year. With two females and only one male it could be interesting, although apparently male birds can mate with more than one female. Once mating is over the male leaves the female to get on with raising the family.
Unlike most ducks, goosanders build their nests in holes in trees. When the ducklings hatch, they have to jump out of the nest and make their way down to the water below — quite a dramatic start to life.
It will be interesting to see whether this little trio breed on the lake. We’ll be keeping an eye on them over the next few months.
Update on Ruby’s Pooch Passport tag
We hadn’t heard from Dunham Massey, so we asked at Nostell whether they had any left. They had a couple and said they would reserve one for us if we show the completed passport next time we visit. As you know, we go most weeks, so no special trip is needed – we just need to remember the passport,
That’s all for this week, so as always, stay safe, stay well, stay warm and stay dry.
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