Nature Notes

As winter gives way to spring, the weather becomes more mixed with fine sunny days at the beginning of March to fool us into feeling that winter is over. Not so: the rain during Saturday night of 15 March returned the Kennet to a high level of flowing, muddy water. Some sharp frosts have caused the daffodils to hang their heads some mornings but it is surprising how they recover as the sun comes up, providing gusty winds have not snapped their stems.

Each day now seems to bring forth extra spring flowers such as primroses, violets and both the dog violet with a white spur (although the petals can be white or violet) and the sweet violet with darker petals. This morning I noticed the butterbur is now flowering down by the river (not a very attractive pink flower spike) and it will be a while before the leaves grow large. The lesser celandine, a member of the buttercup family, is now in full flower: I am always reluctant to remove it from the garden but it does spread too quickly. Aconites and snowdrops are over for the year but now is the time to divide up large clumps of the latter before the leaves begin to wither. So much needs doing in the garden but wet or a cold snap usually interrupts progress although nature has a way of coping so that the flowers appear in due season. But they do seem to be coming a few days earlier in recent years. It is important however for everything to keep in step so that the bees can pollinate the flowers and for the grubs to be available for the birds to feed their young.

When going to Hungerford at the beginning of March, I saw a badger on the grass by the Paddocks post-box, hit by a car no doubt. Was it hoping to find food in someone's garden? This is the time of year when mad march hares earn their name because of the way they jump and box on the Downs: may you be lucky and see the display.

Rosie Pauline

Bird Notes

It’s getting noisy out there! As spring approaches every species seems to be very vocal. Blackbirds and Thrushes are often the most dramatic but the tiny Wren takes some beating, and I was amazed to read recently that the Wren can hit 740 notes in a minute, and be heard a third of a mile away. Robins are singing to announce themselves and their territories, while a bright Yellowhammer on Springs Hill seemed to be just having fun with its unmistakeable ‘little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheese’ song. The great Spotted Woodpeckers are drumming, while the Green Woodpeckers are making their loud laughing calls, advertising both their territory and themselves.

The large flocks of Chaffinch are still around, and a flock of over 30 Goldfinch has been seen regularly on Marridge Hill. The Bramblings seem to have left for Scandinavia and Siberia, while the incoming traffic has started to build, with early sightings of Blackcap and Chiffchaff being reported.

There are plenty of signs of nest building activity but spare a thought for the tiny male Wren. It is embarking on building between five and eight nest ‘shells’ before enticing the female to select the most desirable residence. Only then will it be lined with hair and feathers in preparation for the first of two broods.

Paul Swan

Rainfall

Rainfall for the month to 18 March was 3.55 inches, average 2.09 inches.

ADVANCE NOTICES

May 5 Bank Holiday Monday will deliver the spectacular highlight of the weekend, with an all day Living History public open day. Beginning with an Allied Liberation style parade though the streets of the village, reminiscent of those seen in many Dutch towns and villages in September 1944, the village will vibrate to the rumble of war time tanks, armoured cars, trucks, jeeps and motorcycles. The Parade finishes in Rookery Field, the wartime home of the American Army's 101st Airborne Division's 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment's “Camp Ramsbury”.

The parade, led by two Sherman tanks, will start from Newtown Road near the junction with the B4192 at approximately 10 am. It will proceed at walking pace along Newtown Road, Scholards Lane, through the Square into Back Lane and then up Loves Lane to the Rookery Field. We hope to have a good turn out along the route to watch and cheer them on as they drive past. We have some Dutch, American and Union flags to hand out to wave, but there may not be enough so bring your own if you can. We would like to encourage houses on the route to enter into the spirit of it.

From 11 am, Rookery Field will return to WW2 for one last time and the general public will be welcomed in to see the Re-enactment displays of Troops Military Vehicles and Artillery firing in the arena, a display from an Auster and Spitfire, and culminating in a Parachute Drop of wartime uniformed British and US troops from a WW2 Dakota into the arena.

Meanwhile on Ramsbury High Street, the Memorial Hall will be open all day as the "Ramsbury at War Museum", free to view and with refreshments available to purchase. Adult entry to Rookery Field will be £5 per person with accompanied children free. Entry to OAPs will also be free.

The Community Bus AGM will be on Thurs 15 May at 7.30 pm at the Memorial Hall (Alexander Room).

The Spring Plant Sale at ‘Millstream’ on Saturday 10 May. Please put aside any plants that you can for this event. Pre-School Circuit Run Sunday 18 May. For information and entry form, call Jacquey McQue Tel 521564.

Horticultural Society Coach Trip on Saturday 24 May (leaving the Square at 9.30 am) to Longstock Water Park, Hampshire.