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NATURE NOTES

The recent cold spell in January saw temperatures fall to minus eight in our back
garden, definitely rather chilly. The bird bath was frozen solid, and the lawn was crisp
underfoot.

Our first moth record for 2026 was a micro moth
called the twenty-plume. It appeared in our
kitchen. Each wing is made up of several individual
plumes, but they don't add up to twenty! The
caterpillar stage feeds on the buds of honey suckle
which is commonly found around the village.

Even in the depths of winter it is interesting to look for signs of Spring. In the leaf litter
of the ancient woodlands the leaves of bluebells are sprouting and the lords and
ladies leaves are emerging like tight curled green brandy snaps.

If you have ever wanted to learn bird songs help is at hand with a wonderful app called
Merlin. It is produced by Cornell University and is
free to download. It is quite accurate as long as
you set the location and the bird is singing or
calling quite close. However, on a recent walk
through Lyoak wood I encountered a great tit that
was calling like a marsh tit. It was such a good
mimic it even fooled the app. Shortly after I saw
and heard a marsh tit which was giving its distinct 'pichou' call and this was correctly
identified.

Last winter on my walks I collected several fallen twigs that were covered in lichen.
They looked like miniature gardens. Carefully I attached them to bean poles in the
garden thinking they would be good addition to our patch. Sadly, over the following
months the lichen dried and fell away. Perhaps being in the tree top canopy is a less
drying environment, more suitable for lichens.

Enjoy the winter.

Paul Holt
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