February has a reputation for being the worst for weather, albeit on the doorstep of spring, but preparations for the new season ahead start to be visible in garden. After all, the darkest hour the night makes is the one before the dawn breaks, and this is true of the seasons too.
Although any harsh snowy weather will drive birds like redwings to join the usual gatherings of garden birds around bird feeders, if you listen carefully you will start to hear the characteristic drumming of the great spotted woodpecker and the loud “cork-cock” call of male pheasants from the woodlands around - both already establishing their breeding territories.
Rooks return to their rookeries and begin to reassemble the mass of sticks that was last years nest. Despite the shambles that can be seen in the bare trees, there is an intricate intelligence in the apparent madness of its design. Out across the fields of winter crops the zig zaggy flight of occassional lapwings can be seen. You may even be able to pick up the first tentative notes of the skylarks aerial antics.
Horse chestnut trees come into leaf very early in the season and their buds will now be large and sticky. In the garden the faint hint of bluey-green can be seen on the honeysuckle plants. Although it will be nearer June when they flower, they are quick to take advantage of any sunlight.
At ground level snowdrops are in abundance and on sunny days later in the month daisy flowers will open to the awakening insect population. If you are lucky on a warm day you may well see a Brimstone butterfly on the wing, a male eagerly seeking out a possible mate following its long winter hibernation.
In spite of the grey days, winter is fast receding and spring will once again be with us.
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