Highwoods Preservation Society

One of the first is the Hazel catkins (lambs' tails) coming into flower. These are the male flowers; the female flowers, which form the nuts, are minute being only about 6/8 mm across and bright red.

Some trees carry only male catkins while others have both male and female flowers; there are no female only trees.

The female flowers will usually bloom about a fortnight after the male ones have opened.

This is because the Hazel is wind pollinated and the female flowers want to ensure there is a good supply of male pollen in the air before they open.

Many tree have catkins and perhaps the most beautiful are the catkins on the Alder.

The best area for these trees is by the large bridge over the stream.

The alder catkins are large and later on take on a crimson hue.

Many birds are now thinking of nesting. If the mild weather continues Blackbirds and Thrushes may be sitting on eggs before the end of the month.

There is a general increase in bird song as the days lengthen and birds start to proclaim their territories.

Not all birds sing to denote their territory - the Great Spotted and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers drum. They do this by choosing a dead branch and banging their beak on it rapidly (about 20 times per second).

The Great Spotted produces a deep and short drum whereas the lesser spotted's drumming is usually longer and higher pitched, the result of it being a smaller bird and choosing thinner branches.

Great Spotted woodpeckers have increased in numbers in recent years, and they are now frequent visitors to gardens, especially where fat is put out.

Even if the month has been cold the woods should resound to the drumming of woodpeckers well before the end of February. Our largest woodpecker the Green rarely drums.

All three woodpeckers are resident in the woods.