Episode 49, a nature diary

In this episode the rain finally stops and instead there is a flurry of snow. It turns bitterly cold but three of us dress warmly to explore the footpaths of Kersey. This episode is the week from the 8th to the 14th January 2024.

We return to Swallows on the Wire with week one of 2024, 1st - 7th January. Over this week there was an awful lot of rain, a continuation of months of rain before. The land is waterlogged and weary from storms. But, when you look, there is always something to see like the beautiful grace of little egrets or a trio of robins.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 18th to the 24th July, 2022. This week concludes a full year of nature watching with something written for each precious day.  This week it seems as if Autumn has arrived ahead of schedule; apples fall before they are ready, leaves litter the ground and crops are gathered in early. Sweetcorn stands enormously tall, towering over heads, wild carrot is taking centre stage and in the hedgerows blackberries, elderberries and sloes are ripening. Swallows on the Wire will be back later in the year.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 18th to the 24th July, 2022. This week, the heatwave hits and we reach temperatures of over 41 degrees Celsius. The world becomes bleached and pale; flint becomes too hot to hold and everything waits until night to come out. A visit to Lackford lakes brings the wonder of Marsh Harriers and a wild wind, finally gives way to the lightest of rains.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 11th to the 17th July, 2022. This week, we start heading towards the coming heatwave. Everything becomes bleached pale and the earth hard, dusty and dry. Vegetables are ready for picking, a buck moon glows huge and orange and a red kite proudly defends its kill.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 4th to the 10th July, 2022 This week, linnets join the chorus and a jay comes to visit. It turns very hot, dusty blueberries deepen their colour and selfheal sprouts up everywhere.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 27th of June to the 3rd July, 2022. This week, everything is in full growth and vivid colour. A blackbird with a white face has become a regular visitor and families of blue tits come to the feeder. Blue demoiselles skim river surfaces and the beards of barley grow long.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 20th to the 26th June, 2022 This week butterflies, hoverflies and blue tits are everywhere. All of the cherries are stolen before they even turn red, the summer solstice brings heat and yet the wind stays strong, and a hummingbird hawk moth enjoys the salvia.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 13th to the 19th June, 2022 This week we see extremes of weather from the return of high temperatures to a huge storm that rages for hours. Iridescent clouds form swirls of rainbows in the sky, blackbirds steal cherries one by one and and over aggressive starling chases off all other birds.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 6th to the 12th June, 2022 This week the heat returns, as does bat. Jackdaws take to visiting the feeder and stealing the fat balls. Ox eye daisies take over the landscape, roses of all kinds bloom and the first cherries begin to turn red.