Swallows on the Wire

In this episode the rain finally stops and instead there is a flurry of snow. It turns bitterly cold but three of us dress warmly to explore the footpaths of Kersey.

This episode is the week from the 8th to the 14th January 2024.

We return to Swallows on the Wire with week one of 2024, 1st - 7th January. Over this week there was an awful lot of rain, a continuation of months of rain before. The land is waterlogged and weary from storms. But, when you look, there is always something to see like the beautiful grace of little egrets or a trio of robins.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 18th to the 24th July, 2022. This week concludes a full year of nature watching with something written for each precious day. 

This week it seems as if Autumn has arrived ahead of schedule; apples fall before they are ready, leaves litter the ground and crops are gathered in early. Sweetcorn stands enormously tall, towering over heads, wild carrot is taking centre stage and in the hedgerows blackberries, elderberries and sloes are ripening.

Swallows on the Wire will be back later in the year.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 18th to the 24th July, 2022.

This week, the heatwave hits and we reach temperatures of over 41 degrees Celsius. The world becomes bleached and pale; flint becomes too hot to hold and everything waits until night to come out. A visit to Lackford lakes brings the wonder of Marsh Harriers and a wild wind, finally gives way to the lightest of rains.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 11th to the 17th July, 2022.

This week, we start heading towards the coming heatwave. Everything becomes bleached pale and the earth hard, dusty and dry. Vegetables are ready for picking, a buck moon glows huge and orange and a red kite proudly defends its kill.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 4th to the 10th July, 2022

This week, linnets join the chorus and a jay comes to visit. It turns very hot, dusty blueberries deepen their colour and selfheal sprouts up everywhere.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 27th of June to the 3rd July, 2022.

This week, everything is in full growth and vivid colour. A blackbird with a white face has become a regular visitor and families of blue tits come to the feeder. Blue demoiselles skim river surfaces and the beards of barley grow long.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 20th to the 26th June, 2022

This week butterflies, hoverflies and blue tits are everywhere. All of the cherries are stolen before they even turn red, the summer solstice brings heat and yet the wind stays strong, and a hummingbird hawk moth enjoys the salvia.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 13th to the 19th June, 2022

This week we see extremes of weather from the return of high temperatures to a huge storm that rages for hours. Iridescent clouds form swirls of rainbows in the sky, blackbirds steal cherries one by one and and over aggressive starling chases off all other birds.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 6th to the 12th June, 2022

This week the heat returns, as does bat. Jackdaws take to visiting the feeder and stealing the fat balls. Ox eye daisies take over the landscape, roses of all kinds bloom and the first cherries begin to turn red.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 30th May to the 5th June, 2022

This week, it turns cold and we have storms again with double rainbows. A devil's coach horse is in need of rescue, the large birds take to the skies between rain; sparrow hawk, buzzard and kites and the first strawberry is picked.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 23rd to the 29th of May, 2022.

This week we have rain, thunder and lightning and it turns cold. Elderflower sprawls in buttermilk clumps, bats come out from hibernation and ox eye daisies open everywhere.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 16th to the 22nd of May, 2022.

This week, goldfinches feast on dandelion seeds, a hare kicks up dust as it runs and the first flush of spring colour is fading and before the summer flowers come, the whole world is bright green.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 9th to the 15th of May, 2022

This week the swifts return, a red kite flies low overhead and at last the cuckoo is heard.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 2nd to the 8th of May, 2022

This week we start to see the arrival of juvenile birds; blackbirds and starlings to begin with; blue tits are busy collecting caterpillars, and we finally get some rain and the world responds with lush new growth.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 25th of April to the 1st of May, 2022

This week the weather turns dull and grey but with a more regular appearance from the red kite. As the first spring flowers begin fade, the next in line unfurl and take up the mantle of colour. Lilac blooms, apple blossom is at its peak and at the end of the week, we celebrate Beltane, May day.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 18th to the 24th April, 2022.

This week chaffinch and greenfinch become very vocal. Apple blossom is at its best, lilac begins to bloom and I interrupt a meeting of pheasants.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 11th to the 17th April, 2022

This week we experience true spring warmth over the Easter weekend. There is a full, pink moon, baby frogs are already about and the red kite has taken to flying low over the garden.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 4th to the 10th April, 2022

This week there is much pairing up and nesting happening, a heavy hail storm takes us by surprise, the wind still roars wildly but everywhere, yellow and white are spreading with daises, dandelions and celandine

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 28th March to the 3rd April, 2022

This week winter returns with rain and hail and snow and ice. Jackdaws and crows are nesting, a stock dove comes to visit and female blackbirds fight for food and territory.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 21st to the 27th March, 2022

This week brings true spring warmth as we pass through the equinox, Ostara. But there is a return of frost also. A pair of ducks return as they do every year, Mr blackbird is joined each evening to dine with ratty and bees can be seen scouting.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 14th to the 20th March, 2022

This week robin, blackbird and song thrush are in equal voice; the world becomes hazed with Saharan sand blown over on storms and and a Worm moon shines fat and orange. The spring equinox arrives.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 7th to the 13th March, 2022

This week, our daily pheasant is styled by the wind. Warmth manages to creep in on days between the cold chills, the first blossoms start to appear and new leaves are budding out everywhere.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 28th February to the 6th March, 2022

This week, despite the rain, Spring arrives for certain. Colour is bursting out of buds, a daily pheasant makes its rounds of the garden, puddles form mini lakes over roads and the dawn chorus swells.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 21st to the 27th of February 2022

This week we cross from spring to winter and back again many times We have storms and sun, rain, hail and snow. Throughout it all new and rejuvenated life is showing all around from the pink tips of peonies to the ringing sounds of siskin.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 14th to the 20th of February 2022

This week we endure three storms: Dudley, Eunice and Franklin. The world is shaken and rocked, soaked with rain and hit with hail. In moments of brightness and relative calm, signs of spring continue to push forward.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 7th to the 13th of February 2022

This week four red kites put on a beautiful display of flight together, more colour begins to show in the garden and jackdaws play together around a chimney pot.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 31st of January to the 6th of February 2022

This week we welcome Imbolc and the first sightings of spring. The wind returns, sunsets and rises are spectacular. Kestrel, buzzard and red kite are about and colour begins to creep back in with early flowers like the winter aconites. 

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 24th to the 30th of January 2022

This week a bitter wind returns, large geese are hopeful for birthday cake and new life is springing up everywhere from twists of tulips to curled camellia.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 17th to the 23rd of January 2022

This week, a bonfire and a full moon. Desire lines are embedded in the garden, weirs crash and a flash of blue jewel feathers heralds the king of the river.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 10th to the 16th of January 2022

This week we are enveloped in fog and early morning commutes are full of ice and blinding low sun. The long-tailed tits come in flocks to show off their pretty pinks and blacks, gulls fly as ghostly spectres in the murk and grass scrunches crisply under foot.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 3rd to the 9th January 2022

This week the wind changes direction and brings back the cold. Red kites and buzzards rule the sky and signs of spring show themselves out of the damp and rain.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 27th of December 2021 to the 2nd January 2022.

This week everything is waterlogged and the backs of sheep are stained green from damp grass. The new year begins in unseasonably warm weather and robin is the undisputed song master. 

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 20th to the 26th of December 2021

This Christmas week there is a perfect white ice winter's day in the middle of yet more rain and grey. Jackdaws play the fool in a rare moment of sun while starlings attempt to cram fifty bodies into one small bird table. As the year draws closer to an end, there is a chance to think back to winters and summers before.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 13th to the 19th of December 2021.

This week a city of sparrows squabble in the hedge, it is foggy, grey and damp all week; rooks play by roadsides and Canada geese gather in large groups.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary from the 6th to the 12th of December 2021

This week brings intricate patterns of fern ice on car windscreens, a green woodpecker makes an appearance and a squirrel happily sits at the top of a tree to eat and drop debris below.

In this episode I take a look at the small wild in my weekly diary, from the 29th of November to the 5th December 2021.

This week the first hard frost arrives. Robin comes into his own and claims his place as the winter bird. The north wind brings the lightest fluttering of snow and I accidentally startle a squirrel in a thicket of sloes.

In this episode I share with you my observations of the quiet wild in my nature diary from Monday 22nd to Sunday 28th November, 2021.

This week, winter truly arrives and in the East we escape with only a brief encounter with hurricane Arwen. The temperature drops to zero degrees Celsius and gulls wheel high over Christmas trees newly adorning shop fronts.

In this episode I share with you my observations of the quiet wild in my nature diary from Monday 15th to Sunday 21st November, 2021.

This week the sun returns before a north wind sets in. White ducks move apace on urgent business. The trees are now more bare than in leaf and the robin becomes ever more present.

In this episode I share with you my observations of the quiet wild in my nature diary from Monday 8th to Sunday 14th November, 2021.

This week the sun stays away and it is a week of grey and damp - but all fiery colour too. A red kite stops by for breakfast and a sparrow hawk just misses hers. 

In this episode I share with you my observations of the quiet wild in my nature diary from Monday 1st to Sunday 7th November, 2021.

This week brings the first frost and bonfires for fireworks night. The colours of autumn are brought in and hung to acknowledge the turning of the seasons and a buzzard and crow have a mid air tussle.

In this episode I share with you my observations of the quiet wild in my nature diary from Monday 25th to Sunday 31st October, 2021.

This week, new birds come to the garden. We go from unseasonable warmth to our first frost. Partridges become more abundant and Samhain gives the opportunity to acknowledge the end of summer and all the harvests it has given us and to look ahead to the future.

In this episode I share with you my observations of the quiet wild in my nature diary from Monday 18th to Sunday 24th October, 2021.

This week, a storm comes in hard and heavy; thunder rain and wild winds. The waterfront at Ipswich Quay is beautiful by night and the mornings bring spectacular sunrises in neon colours in big Suffolk Skies. 

In this episode I share with you my observations of the quiet wild in my nature diary from Monday 11th to Sunday 17th of October, 2021.

A trip to Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds brings a host of trees from all over the world - and many, many dogs. I have a day in bed, unwell, and draw upon my cache of nature photos, videos and treasures. And hundreds of gulls give a silent display as waves of them crash over the sky.

In this episode I share with you my observations of the quiet wild in my nature diary from Monday 4th to Sunday 10th of October, 2021.

This week the raven makes a return appearance, neon autumn sunrises begin and the trees show us how to let go as they discard their summer foliage.

In this episode I share with you my observations of the quiet wild in my nature diary from Monday 27th September to Sunday 3rd October, 2021.

The week has been wild with wind and lashing rain. I search for colour in the grey, ladybirds snuggle down to sleep in dried flower heads and caddisflies are out in force.

In this episode I share with you my observations of the quiet wild in my nature diary from Monday 20th to Sunday 26th of September, 2021. In this episode we enter into astronomical autumn and the weather goes from unseasonal high heat to torrential rain. I go for a walk in Groton Woods, Suffolk and sit in the soft garden of friends' accompanied by their tiny wolfette where we watch the sun haze behind morning fog.

In this episode I share with you my observations of the quiet wild in my nature diary from Monday 13th to Sunday 19th September, 2021. This week finally brings rain as well as a close encounter with a sparrow hawk and a very unexpected other bird sighting. I go brambling with my mum for blackberries and sloes and we create beautiful leaf prints in some nature crafting.

In this episode I share with you my observations of the quiet wild in my nature diary from Monday 13th to Sunday 19th September, 2021. In this episode it is unseasonably hot as summer has one last fling. I head to the coast, meet a devil's coach horse beetle and it feels as if we step into autumn.

In this episode I share with you my observations of the quiet wild in my nature diary from Monday 30th August to Sunday 5th September. The week is grey and we enter into meteorological autumn. The swallows have gone, but the week brings ducks and badgers.