Mylander - Issue 83

24 From inside the community Nature Notes It has been an undeniably wet and often very windy winter. I don’t mind, in fact I enjoy, a breeze that teases the leaves, but a trip to Mersea Island on a windy February day was something else. The sky was blue and in sheltered spots the sun was beginning to provide a little warmth. Not on the beach, however, I was careful enough to ensure the tide was well away and I enjoyed watching the waves rolling-in in white-capped rapid succession, as I took a stroll on the sand. The wind was cold and it howled. Sand whipped up and stung my face, my eyes watered, it was hard to stand firm to take photos, but I loved every minute. Walking back a little inland the wind still blew and the trees and overhead wires gave it a voice. Having mentioned winter being wet and windy it has also been relatively mild. In February the birds in the garden were pairing up. Robins, blackbirds, house sparrows, dunnocks (hedge sparrows), blue tits, great tits are all the usual residents. However, we are delighted to have seen a pair of greenfinches and a pair of chaffinches on one of the feeders. These species used to be common to the garden but for a few years we had not seen a single one. Let’s hope they are back to stay. Birds have found their voice too and just the other day I enjoyed hearing a blackcap serenade singing for a partner. Although we do not see a thrush at home I did notice on our allotment a collection of discarded snail shells evidencing a thrush has been busy finding and feeding so they are about. The spring equinox has arrived and signs of the new floral year are here to cheer us up, especially this year in such strange times when a little cheer will go along way. The camellia has brought a flush of bright colour and the contrast of the forsythia yellow against a bright blue sky is heart-warming. The trees in Mile End Road have burst into blossom and in the garden we have clematis ready to or already flowering and for those of us lucky to have gardens they can be a source of fresh air, interest and fascination if circumstances mean we are at home a little more often than usual. Cllr Pete Hewitt