A lovely post by Viola sees her note the exact date when certain events occur during the year. In 1921, the first snowdrop appears on 4th January, the hazel tree’s catkins appear on 20th February and the first daffodil blooms on the 24th February.
You may not know them by name, but you will probably recognise the catkins of a hazel tree. They dangle and cluster from the branches so they can send their pollen off in the wind.
Starlings also feature in this diary entry. Starlings are extremely pretty birds and are best known for their massive murmurations during winter. The most famous murmurations in Scotland can be found at Rigg, near Gretna.
Starlings may look black but they are actually an impressive mix of green, purple, and brown. Although you may see lots of Starlings, their numbers are in decline and they are currently a red listed species.
Transcript
Feb. 26. Stable Yard 3.00 p.m.
All the birds seem to have paired now
and the starlings are thinking about nesting
Two or three have been inspecting the holes in
the walls where they generally build. This is
a very early spring. The first snowdrop was found
on January 4. The first daffodil on 24 Feb, the hazel’s
catkins on Feb 20, and the birds have paired
before the end of February.
