A cold but dry walk around the Cemy.

Tuesday 28th February 2023.

A bit of blossom was out this morning including this flowering Cherry tree in the Cemy.

It was back over Highland Road Cemetery again this morning and though I left it till 10am, it most certainly had not warmed up much from early this morning. That biting north-easterly wind kept windchill temperatures down to just above freezing, but at least it was dry and with a bit of sunshine now and then, things looked good for a slow walk around my local patch.

Above, one of several Carrion Crows seen this morning. Below, the Starlings joined the Wood Pigeons on this heavily cropped tree on the south side of the Cemy.

As expected, nothing out of the ordinary here this morning with a modest total of 17 species seen in or over the Cemetery and if I can count a pair of Collared Doves flying over HIghland Road as I was leaving the Cemetery, then it wasn't too bad. Pick of the bunch had to be the lone Jay seen in trees close to the Mausoleum, which was a little unexpected seeing as I never saw them last time I was here. Yet again, no sign of the Green Woodpecker still or the Great Spotted Woodpecker today, which was disappointing. 

Above, this male Blackbird was close by and below, the Early Bumble bee on the Heather grave.

The Goldcrest was seen all too briefly flying away from me near the Mausoleum and I never saw one Robin either, though I did hear a few sing.

Above, another photo of the Cherry blossom and below, a Goldfinch posing nicely near the Mausoleum.

Birds seen this morning in or over the Cemetery included the following:

• Herring Gull
• Wood Pigeon
• Collared Dove
• Feral Pigeon
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie
• Jay
• House Sparrow
• Wren
• Robin
• Blackbird
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Starling
• Goldcrest
• Goldfinch
• Greenfinch

Above, the local Starlings took a liking to one of the bushes near the Mausoleum and below, this 1st winter Blackbird perched nearby on a gravestone.

The only notable insect seen this morning was an Early Bumble bee that was collecting pollen from the grave with all the Heather. The usual plants were still showing including Germander Speedwell, Daisies and Common Groundsel; but I expect that the cold weather is slowing the progress of the other wildflower, though the likes of Lesser Celandine should be coming through soon.

The Jay put in a brief but welcome appearance this morning.