FRIENDS OF BEDFORD CEMETERY NATURE WALK PAGE

The Cemetery in February 2010

During the course of the month I began to feel that all I would write would be a rehash of January, so unrelenting was the snow and cold. Bu towards the end of the month, things did start to change. Snowdrops flowered at the end of the month – the only type I have seen in the Cemetery are our “native” Snowdrops (the quotes are there because there is doubt that any of our Snowdrops are native). There are flower buds on some of the Daffodils – this time last year there were some flowers by now. Common Field Speedwell is putting on some new growth and flowering. There are leaves of Lords-and-ladies (also known as Cuckoo Pint and Wild Arum), Garlic Mustard (Jack-by-the-Hedge) and Primrose showing.

Among the birds, Blue Tits and Chaffinches are pairing up for breeding. There have been large numbers of Black-headed Gulls (rather sans the black head at the moment as they have yet to develop their breeding plumage)) in Bedford Park but the Cemetery doesn’t attract them enough to land – they simply wheel about overhead. I heard a Great-spotted Woodpecker drumming at the end of the month. This was almost certainly a male establishing his breeding territory.

7-spot Ladybirds have been active on the warmer days (at the end of the month).

On 20th February a small group of Friends went to Moggerhanger Park to look at the Snowdrops. They were certainly there – thousands of them under the trees. These had flowered earlier than those in the Cemetery – all were cultivars with a double flower. I counted 4 different sorts in all but may well have missed some varieties. Bluebell and Lords-and-ladies were putting up their first spring leaves.

The Cemetery in January 2010

January was much colder than we have been recently used to and with much more snow – everyone will have noticed this! One thing that the snow allowed was the examination of animal tracks. There were some Muntjac deer prints visible in a few places. Squirrel tracks were easily seen – a narrow trace of paws with a streaking pattern where the tail brushes the snow. Such tracks go straight for a tree and then disappear! I am not sufficiently skilled to distinguish Fox tracks from those made by small dogs.

Mixed flocks of Tits have been evident – Great, Blue, Coal and Long-tailed. The Great Tits are becoming very vocal – their song has been likened to a rusty saw or squeaky gate. Tawny Owls continue to call at night. Robins, normally very aggressive birds to one another, are beginning their courtship and pairing-up.

A significant number of Ivy berries are now ripe and the glossy black fruits are very popular with Wood Pigeons who gather in large groups to feed.

Rather late (January 31st!) the first hazel catkins are dropping pollen.

I have also to report one possible sighting made right at the end of December. I noticed Magpies mobbing what I took to be a Carrion Crow. Another glance (it was all there was as the birds moved behind trees) and the “crow” seemed far too big. Magpies are smaller than Carrion Crows but the size disparity in this case was striking. Since Ravens are known from a few sites in Bedfordshire (including the RSPB headquarters at Sandy), this sighting was certainly possible but must remain unconfirmed.