I think it’s now safe to say that we’ve well and truly dismissed that old myth that says a bumper autumn harvest will be the harbinger of a long hard winter. The Forest harvest last autumn was one of the most prolific and diversified that I can remember and did we have a tough winter? No, not at all. In fact the weather has been so unseasonably mild that we are currently witnessing an explosion in the rabbit population throughout the area. It seems that the warm weather and abundance of food had encouraged the little devils to start breeding much earlier in the year than usual. We all know that rabbits have a reputation for being prolific producers but I must admit that I wasn’t prepared for the sight that met my eyes when I responded recently to a call from a desperate lady, who was at her wits end with the rapid destruction of her garden, by these buck-toothed vandals. There were rabbits in the garden, rabbits in the driveway, rabbits in her paddocks…rabbits everywhere of all shapes and sizes and the damage to the garden alone, was unforgivable.

Rabbits are not the only creatures who have taken advantage of the warmer winter. On more than one occasion this year I’ve spotted grass snakes swimming in the garden pond. They were obviously hunting for frogs or newts to ease their hibernation induced hunger, but they had emerged much earlier than normal.

Judging by the number of road-kills observed throughout the winter, the badger population seems to have taken little or no winter hibernation. They will, under normal conditions and when cold weather makes food scarce, retire to a warm underground chamber lined with fermenting leaves and there they will sleep away the winter. During spells of warmer weather they will often emerge to see what can be picked up. I have spotted dead badgers on the road side throughout most of the winter months and the entrance holes to my resident badger sets have been, more often than not, left open, indicating a decided reluctance, or need, to hibernate.

The bird nesting season is well underway and as well as the regular garden inhabitants like the blackbirds, thrushes and robins I’ve got a pair of grey wagtails who are nesting in the climbing hydrangea above my study window. In fact they have spurned a nest box about two feet away from their chosen site, which is now occupied by a family of great tits. These charming little birds with their bobbing tails and dressed in their smart grey, black and yellow plumage bring a welcome splash of colour to the garden. A pair of pied wagtails a close relative of the yellows and equally stunning in their black and white plumage have also appeared. Between their black cap and bib is a white mask that gives these little birds an air of mystery. They are nesting on the south facing side of the house, but I’ve been unable, as yet, to locate their nest. They are very clever at concealing their nest site and their patience is far greater than mine. I occasionally watch them as they hunt over the roof and collect a beak full of flies. They know I am there and they will never approach their nest whilst I am watching and it is always yours truly who has to give in first and turn away, none the wiser after a seemingly long vigil.

Nuthatches are nesting in a hole in the weeping willow and I’m keeping a watchful eye on them. They nested there last year and sadly, despite their carefully selected nest hole, a grey squirrel discovered their chicks and one by one removed them all. Tawny owls are a daily site by the crossroads in the track. I suspect that they too have many mouths to feed and are extending their working hours to suit.

I keep a daily watch for the return of the spotted fly-catchers. They are one of the last summer migrants to arrive in this country because they must be sure of finding a plentiful supply of food awaiting them when they get here. They still haven’t arrived and obviously have no knowledge of the unnaturally warm start to the year.

Perhaps someone should have told them! Ian Thew

Ian talks next week about the variety of birds returning to Burley Rails for the summer.