A Happy New Year! It is, indeed,
For everything in nature.
Each bud and leaflet, tree and weed
Continues in its labour.
Inside each wondrous, unique piece
The secrets of survival.
The resting vegetation sleeps,
Awaiting Spring’s revival.
And so 2025 begins – the cycle of life continues, with all the usual anticipation of what may lie ahead for the coming year. The Amblers know exactly what to expect – more joyful strolling.
There may not appear to be much happening in the fields, hedgerows and meadows at this time of year but, for plant life, surviving winter is the key to those vibrant displays we all enjoy in spring. There is a quiet stillness in the countryside as we – alongside nature – wait for the weather to warm up again. The wide expanse of the flat fenland becomes unforgiving as we battle the elements and we admire the hardiness of the natural world to withstand such things; our hats, scarves and gloves have been brought out again.
However, while the flora rests, it is the wildlife that takes our attention now. Some birds find it warmer here than in their native countries, and come to visit for the winter – which is great for us, as we have the opportunity to see them for ourselves without travelling abroad. I am thinking in particular of birds like redwings and fieldfares, and waterfowl such as Whooper swans and Brent geese, but there are many others.
Birdwatching is a popular and rewarding activity at any time of year. Red Kites and Buzzards are fairly easily identified overhead but, with binoculars, their plumage can really be admired. It adds another dimension to our enjoyment to be able to see finer details which differentiate creatures within species, even in the back garden. My bird feeders are at the bottom of the garden, but my eyes are not as young as they were. With my binoculars, I was able to see that the birds with a yellow edge to their wings (which I had thought were juvenile goldfinches as there were red-headed adults present too) were, in fact, greenfinches. It is delightful to get closer to nature and appreciate its variety.
On a recent Barnack-Southorpe circuit – where these photos were taken – there was great (quiet, inward) excitement from someone with binoculars who had spotted a mistle thrush in a field. Even those of us without any could see its pale, creamy breast and watched as it flew off, presumably into the trees where the mistletoe was growing, but only he could see its beautiful speckled front in detail. One week at Deeping Lakes, we saw a pair of Glossy Black Ibis digging for food with their long, curved beaks at the edge of the Welland – what a treat!
We are fortunate in Trib’land to reap the rewards of the wonderful Langdyke Countryside Trust charity, whose efforts to attract diverse species through their land management and horticultural practices allow us to see for ourselves a broad range of flora and fauna. The areas around Etton and Maxey are favourite haunts of the Amblers – and many other locals – because the opportunities for wildlife spotting are greater…if we can step lightly and keep our voices low!
We wish you all the same joy in nature in the year ahead that we experience ourselves on our walks – and good luck spotting those winter visitors when you are out ambling in Trib’land. Enjoy!
