Saturday 31 March 2018
Red Wood Ants, Friedrichstal March 2018

Red Wood Ants, Friedrichstal March 2018

I went for a run to Friedrichstal and saw this red wood ant nest on a tree stump in the sun.

Sunday 25 March 2018

It was a beautiful warm spring day today. A small, shallow area of the pond has accumulated quite a few common toads who were all splashing about today and climbing over each other. Yesterday all we could see was spawn which we presumed was frogspawn. I've updated yesterday's entry accordingly.

Of course this activity has attracted the buzzards and red kites that always seem to be around at this time of year.

The sun also brought out the first butterflies of the year (the ones that hibernated through winter). There were a couple of large tortoiseshells sunning themselves in their usual favoured spot down by the dry stone wall underneath the birch.

Toads, Christophstal March 2018

Toads, Christophstal March 2018

Red kite, Christophstal March 2018

Red kite, Christophstal March 2018

Large tortoiseshell, Christophstal March 2018

Large tortoiseshell, Christophstal March 2018

Saturday 24 March 2018
Toad spawn, Christophstal March 2018

Toad spawn, Christophstal March 2018

Today it finally seemed a bit warmer. It has been so cold for the last few weeks. The pond was iced over until earlier this week so we were really surprised to see that there is already toad spawn in there.

Thursday 15 March 2018

We had a different pine marten in the garden today, eating sunflower seeds off our bird table.

This one was quite different to the individual that came in February - so we know that there are at least two around here.

The carrion crows have been bringing nesting material to the nearby fir trees where they nest every year. Earlier, we saw a pair mating.

Pine marten, Christophstal March 2018

Pine marten, Christophstal March 2018

Pine marten, Christophstal March 2018

Pine marten, Christophstal March 2018

Pine marten, Christophstal March 2018

Pine marten, Christophstal March 2018

Wednesday 14 March 2018
Fir Clubmoss, March 2018

Fir Clubmoss, Christophstal March 2018

I went out for a run today and found what I think is a new site for fir clubmoss.

Tuesday March 6 2018
2001-2018

2001-2018