Blog No 5 Wild Wanderings
12-02-2023
Knocking on Wood and Mary's Tapers
Thing's have been very quiet this last couple of weeks. Its been quite pleasant on the weather front, with several nice bright sunny spells. The main jobs at the moment are to finish off pruning and tidying the 'The base'. Every time I do a bit of maintenance I make it my job to take a break to just sit and listen to the sounds of nature. It's surprising how many different sounds there are,not just bird song but other strange noises.
One of the most unusual is the sound of the Great Spotted Woodpecker 'rattling 'away on the tree trunks. I can't imagine the speed it must generate when creating this very distinctive woodland sound. Once heard it is never forgotten.When making this 'rattling' the GSW is digging away at loose bark to reveal any insects that are hiding beneath it. Insects are its preferred food, but it is partial to peanuts as well. The tough pointed beak of the woodpecker conceals a very long tongue that is lined with barbed filaments of a horny nature. These barbs impale the insects, and together with the secretion of a glutinous saliva, helps the bird scoop up the insects.
The undulating flight of the GSW is very distinctive, and is a very strong point for identification when you see the bird flying between trees.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker is also resident in Denmark,Sweden,Norway,and Russia and on then down to Italy. It was not however resident in Ireland until very recently (5 Yrs ago) when some individuals have since been recorded.
This time of year of course we can all see the first signs of spring, and the promise that brings, in the form of the first blooms of Snowdrops and Crocus.
About five years ago I planted several hundred of both of these harbingers of better weather.
I planted them mostly in clumps of a dozen or so, mainly yellow and whites. I always forget exactly where I planted them and I am always surprised to suddenly see them,little dashes of colour shining through the sad looking grass and undergrowth.
The Snowdrops were a new variety 'Flore Pleno' which are almost like small Daffodils with a beautiful green and white trumpet. They have now increased to fairly large clumps and are dotted about the base.
The Snowdrop has been adopted as a symbol for the feast of Candlemas, as they appear approx 40 days after Christmas. An old name for Snowdrops is 'Mary's Tapers' (candles) and you can see them in all their glory in many Convent and Abbey's grounds and gardens around the country.
Snowdrops also thrive in poor conditions and are suited to sites under trees and hedge bottoms, anywhere that remains a little damp and in dappled sunlight.
I can certainly see and hear the season turning, I even spotted a Bee collecting pollen from a wide open Crocus. Things are definitely looking up.
Enjoy nature ...and stay warm
Robert J
RJM
