Snow drops can look stunning under trees and scattered in woodland but for me they lose their allure when they are cut and brought inside.  On the other hand hellebores tend to flop their heads in the garden so their full beauty is better displayed floating upwards in a bowl.  For my money, they knock all other flowers into a cocked hat when it comes to mothers day gifts. 

Valentines Day is always a good reminder that birds are already seeking out secret love nests.  It is great when birds are able to make their own nests, in hedgerows, trees and tree trunks (a good reason to leave rotting trees in situ), but supplementing natural habitats is always worthwhile.  If you want to know how to build a bird box there are lots of courses up and down the country, in Cheshire, Northumberland and elsewhere.

I love birdwatch week.  It is a chance to sit and study the comings and goings of birds for a whole hour.  We should do it more often of course, but you know how it is.  Sadly this redwing didn’t come until after our hour was up, so it didn’t count.

The sparrows and tits are already actively reckying the nest boxes for the spring.  Now is the time to clean out existing boxes and to hang new ones, especially when they are 30% off!