The Fieldfares and some other winter visitors have left. Winter migrants are clearly moving north as Spring advances upon them. Only yesterday, as we left the hospital at the end of evening visiting, the gentle flight call notes of swans drifted down. It was, for once a clear starlit night and we watched a formation of nine Bewick’s Swans as they passed serenely in line-astern overhead. Their whiteness somewhat colour-washed by the light pollution from the east of the city. Their calls contrasting with the monotonous hum of the city. They were heading intently north eastwards, responding to the call of the Russian tundra.
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Movement north
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Litter pick 2013
Late morning on Saturday, with snow in the air and a biting nor’easterly wind blowing, seven hardy souls ventured out to pick litter from around the village. The Big Tidy Up has become an annual event.
Fast food containers and the so-easily disposable coffee cups and endless beer bottles were there in usual quantities. A rather sad collection of empty bottles of a cheap whisky from some secret drinker near the railway line. The ever present wrappers from contractor’s packed lunches infested the routes through Hall Farm. The rather strange mentality that makes dog walkers bag up dog turd and then chuck the whole lot into the hedge baffles us. But, after completing various circuits of the byways around the village, all who turned out were satisfied with a job well done. Total litter harvest: 6 sacks full. Thanks to all who lent their time.
The crocuses are in flower around the village sign and this helps to lift the spirits.
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Brampton and Oxnead Village Green Deal / Keeping warm
There is a government led green deal to help people make their homes more energy efficient and can include loans recovered through your energy bills for new boilers and central heating systems. You can get a free survey and that can be arranged through the Parish Council but you must be quick as it ends in early March. Please contact the clerk on [email protected] if you would like more information or visit this site for more details.
Practical advice and help can also be found here.
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Dawn in Mid-February
Dawn on a Sunday in mid-February arrived in a grey pall. A frost has etched its way through the garden and the air was still. But the sound of birdsong has gathered new strength; the Sing Thrush which has claimed an Ash tree to the west of the cottage was trading vocal blows with his rival neighbour at the Old Smithy. The dual followed strict rules. An opening five phrase repeat from one bird was followed by a pause and a response from the other. Their notes filled with the vigour and meaning as the serious business of territorial claims were reinforced. In the background Robins and Wrens added their own vocals. On the ground Snowdrops continue to flower and the early Daffodils venture forth with the yellow heralds trumpet.
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CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
BRAMPTON CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE -
Ash tree disease in Brampton
It has been noted that a number of Ash trees in the parish appear to be suffering with die-back. Advice and decisions will bill be taken in the Spring.
One of the Brampton Ash trees that appears to be suffering from die-back. -
Froth in lanes
Cow Parsley or Queen Anne’s Lace, the hedge banks are graced by a frothy display of this natural traffic-calming measure. In my view always there for too short a time before Highway’s Authority tidiness means that it has to be cut to allow cars to speed through the lanes with impunity. In the mean time the natural display set off with the blue of Germander Speedwell (what an apt name) is better than artificial set that Chelsea has to offer. -
Oak or Ash?
Neither the Oak nor the Ash triumphed in the race to be the first into full leaf this year. So although I cannot claim to have knowingly met an old wife; they have had to forget their theory of long-term weather forecasting based upon the result (“Oak before Ash…etc.”). The sudden improvement in the weather has encouraged every plant to develop at once. As this photograph shows, taken upon one morning this week, each species was pushing it’s leaves out at the same time. As they did so, the Hawthorn flowers were arriving in all their glory. Then without a further backward glance Spring turns to Summer. -
Cuckoo returns
At last the Brampton Cuckoo has put in an appearance. On Tuesday night, on the Karnser, it called from a low perch, with that call that is more of a “whoop-you” than a Cuckoo. It is noticeable that the calls of birds which have evolved for transmitting over large distances so often seem distorted when heard from close by. This one flew with that weak falcon shaped silhouette eastwards along the marsh hedge, it’s grey plumage and paler undersides showing clearly in the light of the setting sun. Jenny tells me that she heard it call on Sunday evening, in which case it beat the BTO monitored Cuckoos back to the UK, but for my own record the 2nd May must the date in the book – the latest over the last few years.
