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Wasperton > Wildlife |
ARCHIVE
January |
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, WASPERTON Updated April 2023 There are generally some warm Beware the Blackthorn Winter. These are famous weather sayings. The blackthorn flowers on average in the first week in April in the Midlands. I did see some out at the end of last month in Shropshire. Of course, it will be earlier in Cornwall, etc. The first maxim refers to a warm spell in late March and early April which was tested 27th March to the 5th April. Average figures of 53% were returned for three or more consecutive warm days. Similar conditions were applied to the 6th-12th April for a cold spell falling after a warm 27th March to 5th April; only 31% was shown. The Blackthorn Winter appearing in its own right failed miserably at 21%. Not to put too fine a point on it, we all know it can be jolly cold end of March into April and I don't think we should put all the blame on the blackthorn! It's very pretty anyway. Our Churchyard is pretty too at the moment. It must be the best show of spring bulbs for many a year. The snowdrops are everywhere; they looked very unhappy after some cold rain last month and I thought they were finished. But no, they stood up again and opened up more to the warmth of the sun later. The cold weather has been very good for the snowdrops; they have gone on and on. Nice to have a bit of seasonal weather. A bit of proper winter which hopefully will bring us a bit of proper summer. The primroses have multiplied quite a lot even getting where I don't want them, around the cremation plaques. The rabbits are doing their best to dig them out. I know "stop complaining," you say. We have bats in the belfry but not in the bat boxes and no sign of the hedgehogs. Where am I going wrong? Thanks for all your support, we keep pressing on. Mike Porter
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