Table of Contents 1.

Having spent most of my working life making wildlife documentaries for television, for many years I was also responsible for producing gardening programmes. This made me even more aware that the climate we enjoy here in south west England was often weeks ahead of the rest of Britain.

So far, winter here in Devon has been marked by relatively few frosts. But the steadily lengthening days have also brought plenty of the wet stuff, drenching our fields and flooding lanes. Between showers our bird table is now the busiest I have seen in months. Each morning dozens of countless feathered friends wait impatiently for breakfast to be served. Our garden, as elsewhere, is currently alive with bustling Blue tits and their Great cousins. Most seek the safety of a nearby rose bush for their turn to raid the refilled peanut holder. Although I can only count a dozen or so birds at any one time, I remember reading a surprising discovering some years ago. Data that at the time even shocked experts.

What the researchers found by catching, marking and releasing each bird was their initial estimate of numbers was far short of reality. They found considerably more individual birds were making use of the free meal on offer. Although only seeing perhaps a dozen or so birds at any one time, this new investigation revealed more than 120 different Blue tits were actually waiting their turn. Many of the birds no doubt doing a quick round of neighbouring feeders in between. So, it was no surprise to read last year’s Great Garden Birdwatch revealed a total of more than 17 million birds, made up of 20 different species were being regularly fed across the British Isles.

Meanwhile, down here in Devon dry days are the new rarity, with only a glimpse of blue sky and sunlight, tempting Blackbirds and Mistle thrush into brief song. While high above our hillside wood a few buzzards are already starting to gather. Their spectacular stooping display accompanied by plaintive cries echoing across the valley. But despite the drizzle and occasional down pours, the day light hours are slowly getting longer. Looking at the calendar we know Spring is not far away. On our hedge banks the wild snowdrops are beginning to fade as the first primroses slowly raise their yellow heads. The march of the seasons continues.

Some creatures however, have a tactic to avoid the worst winter weather. Occasionally while on a wildlife survey we have found what appears to be a nest at the base of a coppiced hazel. Yet hidden inside the tight bundle consisting of shredded leaves and honeysuckle bark, a dormouse is found in deep slumber. Yet while the thought of winter hibernation may sound attractive the reality is not so much a tactic to avoid wet weather, it is more a strategy to stave off starvation. But for us humans, as much as I admire the tactic, I would not want to miss Christmas.

Andrew Cooper