![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QNPpx2NinD9PAlOF0ZoyUFtHNP1zwZ795L4uvUzw6GZosx4myLCyMjKyyrk7-fgS7soAut47uMDLHCf0JyrFxyqo7xWvYxeel1EeY-e7uWYj8sNGRa6IcRSHHPMnr_-RySt4ZnPGfMqV/s320/snowdrop.jpg)
A walk along the River Ash and up to Bush Wood this afternoon, returning as the early evening chorus was just beginning. Robins, song thrushes and a solitary mistle thrush were audible around the war memorial, with the local corvids heading for their roost as pictured here.![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-dCKMPyBnIuUdSj7WGWYvAqtxXC6u6UjYJ-ppRBnktpaavzzJ7TGPDaLOygeVAmPupOZrVswnWvDOpKrMAnkN-I9EIpbY6CzUkZaNGp6MOIpYkyYatPbZZAvGMdNa5_4rRR3mRhLs0Ur/s320/roost.jpg)
Starlings, blue and great tits and house sparrows were evident around the Ford along with collared doves and overhead wood pigeons. A kestrel flew over the road south of the village and a common buzzard was flushed from feeding on a dead fox towards Bush Wood. Yellowhammers called and an assorted finch flock (green and goldies) flew east to roost as a green woodpecker and fieldfares called from local cover.
The first signs of flora for spring were encountered in the shape of snowdrops. Certainly later this year than for the last 5 or 6. Most of nature appears to be late this year, due to the heavy frosts. I have yet to hear any woodpeckers drumming. Hopefully, a warmer spell will soon bring things up to speed.![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvea3JXRsw_HrA4mo2KgwsFlQNMW_9atdLNa6E46THNXPOTlm1SaOvaDhho8tNZdKWB8Oy06lbAwJF3bT5EK9S9KgcO_aGlPlXFPyjMYoSSV_Tjir8c9G2AvKiugZH4m2GGXTXIAM8DcIb/s320/snowdrop1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-dCKMPyBnIuUdSj7WGWYvAqtxXC6u6UjYJ-ppRBnktpaavzzJ7TGPDaLOygeVAmPupOZrVswnWvDOpKrMAnkN-I9EIpbY6CzUkZaNGp6MOIpYkyYatPbZZAvGMdNa5_4rRR3mRhLs0Ur/s320/roost.jpg)
Starlings, blue and great tits and house sparrows were evident around the Ford along with collared doves and overhead wood pigeons. A kestrel flew over the road south of the village and a common buzzard was flushed from feeding on a dead fox towards Bush Wood. Yellowhammers called and an assorted finch flock (green and goldies) flew east to roost as a green woodpecker and fieldfares called from local cover.
The first signs of flora for spring were encountered in the shape of snowdrops. Certainly later this year than for the last 5 or 6. Most of nature appears to be late this year, due to the heavy frosts. I have yet to hear any woodpeckers drumming. Hopefully, a warmer spell will soon bring things up to speed.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvea3JXRsw_HrA4mo2KgwsFlQNMW_9atdLNa6E46THNXPOTlm1SaOvaDhho8tNZdKWB8Oy06lbAwJF3bT5EK9S9KgcO_aGlPlXFPyjMYoSSV_Tjir8c9G2AvKiugZH4m2GGXTXIAM8DcIb/s320/snowdrop1.jpg)