A succession of Atlantic low pressure systems have brought storms and gales, rain and hail, thunder and lightning.
Thankfully, we have weathered the storms, though a few acers in our garden have suffered severe wind burn – the worst in recent years – their leaves dried and crisped at the edges. I hope they survive.
At long last, we have a high pressure system, and yesterday we were able to enjoy taking breakfast in the garden, and to enjoy the radiant warmth of the sun.
The swifts have arrived – perhaps not in the numbers we have seen in recent years, but their aerodynamic, crescent-shaped wings, and their screaming cries are a welcome harbinger of summer. House martins too, a welcome sight as they skim through the air above us in their search for insects aloft. And … a single aircraft vapour trail … a still-infrequent sight as the pandemic grumbles on.
As we sat, we watched young sparrows fledging from their nest in the eaves of our house, their parents cajoling the last one or two from the nest, and then feeding their fledgling young, who fluttered their wings in expectation of food.
In one of our trees, newly-hatched great tits – probably from the conifer hedge beyond our back fence – were being fed by their parents. Again, their wings fluttered frantically, as they called for food.
On the lawn, several starling chicks squabbled and fought to get the mealworms we had put out for them, as yet still more came, their parents’ fixed-wing gliding-in so reminiscent of German Skukas attacking their targets below.
A loud “caw” rang out, as a a crow passed overhead, but, the loudest song of all came from a cock wren, stridently calling for a mate, to inspect the nest he had made in our gazebo. Funny, how such a small bird can make the most noise – not at all reminiscent of Sylvia’s calls for this or that!
The last year has, too, been a succession of lows. How lovely then, to feel the elation brought by warmer weather, blue skies and sun, and the sounds and sights of nature around us!
I hope we have some more highs to come!