Weather-February 2009. (1 Viewer)

[palval147]

Obviously, Pam, the wardens or whoever looks after that park, still haven't organised a regular feed for those hungry waterfowl.

 

[Peewit]

Steady rain still! At least it is not the white stuff...yet!

On my way home this afternoon I stopped off at my local park to feed the Wildfowl. The park was empty of people apart from me and a man who was walking through the park, not surprising it was empty as it was raining! The lake was still roughly a 3rd frozen over. What a to-do when I started to throw the food around the ledge of the lake! Pandemonium broke out! The Canada Geese and Muscovies were even shoving the Mallards of the ledge and back into the water...it was a right free for all! The far end of the lake was devoid of birds once I started feeding!
I went away feeling sad, as whatever amount of food I had taken for them would not have been enough!
This winter is a harsh one for our Wildlife.|=(|

hi Pam

I think it is a shame that the Park staff do not take an active role is feeding the birds, as the parks are there for the public's use. I think it would enrich their daily jobs too.

Also the birds add extra appeal to attract people to use the park facility as it is. It gives a good talking point, and focal point to many people, It would be sad if the birds where not there anymore.

I hope that you get the support that the birds deserve, Pam. :t:

 

[Bea]

After a light covering of snow last night there's been a steady thaw today. Still plenty of snow where the sun hasn't caught it but at least there are patches of grass along the hedges where the birds can peck around. When I've been out with my dog I've taken apples and pears to throw inder the bushes for Blackbirds etc. There are always a lot of gulls on the playing fields looking very hungry so I take bread for them, its better than nothing.

 

[Kits]

Rain, rain, rain and a little bit more rain. All day!

 

[Pam_m]

Obviously, Pam, the wardens or whoever looks after that park, still haven't organised a regular feed for those hungry waterfowl.

Obviously not, Val! Such a crying shame!

hi Pam

I think it is a shame that the Park staff do not take an active role is feeding the birds, as the parks are there for the public's use. I think it would enrich their daily jobs too.

Also the birds add extra appeal to attract people to use the park facility as it is. It gives a good talking point, and focal point to many people, It would be sad if the birds where not there anymore.

I hope that you get the support that the birds deserve, Pam. :t:

A good point, kathy! I cannot understand our local councils thinking! A couple of summers ago when we had a hot spell the fish were dying due to lack of oxygen in the water! There was a public outcry as the public were horrified to see dead fish floating on the lake! The council put in a water pump and fountain to oxygenate the lake! I wonder what the public would say now if they saw birds starved to death on the lake! I hope this never happens!

After a light covering of snow last night there's been a steady thaw today. Still plenty of snow where the sun hasn't caught it but at least there are patches of grass along the hedges where the birds can peck around. When I've been out with my dog I've taken apples and pears to throw inder the bushes for Blackbirds etc. There are always a lot of gulls on the playing fields looking very hungry so I take bread for them, its better than nothing.

That is good to hear, Bea!:t: I do not worry about the 'small' birds at the park as they have plenty of gardens to visit close by the park! However I do take seed for them and throw it amongst the shrubbery!

I read yesterday of the winter of 1963 that saw many species of British birds brought to the brink by the ice and snow that stopped them finding food. Only 10 pairs of Dartford Warblers survived. Kingfisher numbers crashed by 90% and millions of Wrens perished.Birds that depended on wet areas tended to fair worst! After the Kingfisher the second biggest decline was the Grey Wagtail and the Snipe featured high on the list! Other species which perished in large numbers were Goldcrests, Stonechats, Barn Owls. L T T's and Green Woodpeckers!
Let's hope that we do not get a repeat of 1963!

By the way, it is now snowing and very cold here this evening!

 

[Gill Osborne]

We didn't get any more snow after all - the sun came out later on and it was a fairly pleasant day.
I still feel 'not right' and my appetite is non-existent (whoopee a silver lining - shift a few pounds! ) but I'm hoping I feel better tomorrow as it's my day off work anyway and I've heard of a male Ring Ouzel up by High Newton o I've never seen one of these and I suppose I could just wait until May and spend a day at the Harthope Valley where they breed.....but being stuck indoors drives me stir crazy :-O
However I'll probably end up staying in and resting some more as Neil has forbidden me to go out tomorrow :eek!: I've got a couple of letters to get on with writing anyway :smoke:

 

[NIK III]

Another light fall last night. Still have 4.5 inches, it looks very nice hanging on the hawthorn. Lots of blue sky to start the day, 1C. Hope you are feeling better soon Gill. You don't want to loose too many pounds and end up having to buy new threads .

 

[Gill Osborne]

Clear blue skies and sunshine frst thing but it's now snowing very lightly. The flakes are very small so I don't think it'll lie but it IS very pretty :-O

Having another day indoors as I still feel light-headed :smoke: Neil told my boss this morning that I wouldn't be back at work until Thursday so that's probably annoyed him :-O

Don't worry about me losing weight and having to buy 'new threads' Nik - I've got plenty hanging up in the wardrobe that are a touch too tight at the mo......I've never really subscribed to the theory of throwing out clothes you can't fit into...they just go in the wardrobe or boxes under the bed ready for when I do shift the excess lard! :-O

 

[snowyowl]

Quite cold this morning at -15 C but a bright day. There are a few clouds on the horizon so things may change later. The moon was fully visible above the horizon at 7 AM this morning. It was so big and yellow, it looked like a harvest moon.

 

[palval147]

Have you still got a lot of snow there, Dan?

Sorry you aren't feeling well enough to go out, Gill. I hope you feel better soon. Perhaps you can get to see the Ring Ouzel tomorrow.

Sunny with blue sky here, but it is chilly. Makes a change from the constant rain of the last two days though. I just hope it doesn't snow again.

 

[Peewit]

Hope that all is well with you soon Gill. :gh:

Pam: Thanks for your reply. It is ironic what you say about the fish incident in your local lake We had a similar problem here in Bedford lake, and yes a filter was placed in the water too.
Also some mesh was added around the edges of the lake, (like snow mesh), as the local Grey Heron was having a fish snack or two. I can only guess that some people liked the fish over the Heron!

Roy: We had a similar weather picture to yourself last night. We had a light covering of snow too.
At one point the wind really picked up, and the snow turned into a blizzard (I had to go to the local shop later for some headache tablets!),
The effect of the snow on your face was freezing. My nose ended up numb on the end. :eek!:

 

[palval147]

I spoke too soon, we now have grey sky & rain.

 

[Peewit]

We seen to have blue skies now, and it has brightened up a bit at the moment.

Just watched the lunchtime news, and there has been some bad flooding in areas of Britain once more. :eek!:

Hope no-one here has been affected with too much water at all :-C

 

[Kits]

Very high wind and heavy rain all night (kept waking me up) followed by a very brief snow shower this morning. Blue skies and sunshine came through at about 10 for most of the rest of the day. 3c.

Lots of localised flooding here with fields and some roads under water. It will be even worse when all the snow melts.

 

[Bea]

A pleasant day here, I even got some washing dried outside.

Its thawing quickly here and I think there'll soon be floods from snow melt up in the Dales. The riverside properties in Leeds and York are usually badly affected, I'm glad I live on top of a hill.

 

[Wendy Morris]

Frosty this morning, some blue, some cloud, but an OK sort of day.

 

[tyrannulet]

Snowy/slushy rain yesterday (2am) Was not fun to do field sampling in

 

[Pam_m]

A sunny and frosty morning! The moon was shining brightly this morning, I see it was a Full Moon on the 9th!

A couple of pics visitors to my garden yesterday! This is the first Songthrush for around 2 months in my garden!

 

[palval147]

Nice photo's, Pam. We have two Song Thrushes here now. They just appeard during that cold weather & seem to be staying, one was singing his head of in the Oak tree this morning.
Bright & sunny here with some cloud. It's still chilly outdoors.

 

[snowyowl]

Have you still got a lot of snow there, Dan?

Still lots of snow but getting mild today so some will probably melt.