Autumn was warmer and wetter than average with huge levels of rainfall, especially in October. A short cold snap early in December was followed by a long spell of wet, mild, windy weather, punctuated by storms with strange names chosen by the British, Irish and Dutch Met Offices. Although Christmas Day was the mildest since 1997 it was declared a white Christmas by our Met Office because a single snowflake fell somewhere in Scotland. Not quite what Bing Crosby had in mind!
Once again one of our local bird groups reported some unusual butterfly (honorary birds) sightings with both Brimstone and Comma butterflies seen in gardens. Many birdwatchers have enjoyed sightings of Waxwings in the York area. These beautiful Scandinavian visitors will often stay in one place for several days whilst they polish off the supply of red berries.
The unseasonal sightings, plus the continued mild weather and extensive recent flooding, are more sobering indicators of climate change. The National Trust has published a report on the state of nature in the U.K. which highlights many of the problems this presents for our wildlife. For instance, the warm autumn weather is affecting the rutting behaviour of red deer. The mating ritual normally begins in September, but warm weather is delaying it further into the winter. As a result calves are born later in the year, in summer rather than spring, potentially giving them less time to grow and put on the weight and fat needed to survive the winter.
The Friends spring programme commences with an illustrated talk on York’s precious colony of Tansy Beetles by Dr Geoff Oxford in the Reading Room on Thursday 4th April at 7.30pm, which is open to members and interested non-members.
On Sunday 21st April we will visit the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s North Cave Wetlands Nature Reserve, for plenty of birdlife and fresh air. From quarries and lorries to avocets and bitterns, the ongoing transformation of this working sand and gravel quarry into a shining example of a 21st-century wetland is truly extraordinary. This 56 hectare site is of regional importance to birdlife.
Forthcoming working parties in the Wood are on Saturdays 17th February, 2nd March and 6th April, from 10am until 1.00pm
For further details of our activities get in touch via https://haggwood.wordpress.com/contact/
Friends of Hagg Wood 