Here in England, it’s too easy to harp on about our months of wet and dismal weather. But February has not been all wall to wall gloom. Last week, when we had two sunshine days, everyone was out and about, spurred on by fits of exuberance. How we’d missed the sun. It felt a battery recharge.
I made the most of it, too. Not only did I mow the lawns, but I also dug out my compost bin and spread the contents all over the back garden beds: instant refurbishment to rain beaten soil, and no digging required – at least not beyond the confines of the compost bin. No-dig pioneer gardener, Charles Dowding, would surely give me a thumbs up for effort. The blackbirds are certainly pleased with me, although I’m not so pleased with them. They seem to think the garden path is a better spot for my compost.
And so the highlights – the crocus certainly. They’ve stood up magnificently to rain and wind:
*
And in sheltered corners the daffodils are just now following on:
*
And about the town, the hedgerows are hanging in hazel catkins that catch the light:
*
While hedge bottoms glow with bursts of freshly opened celandines, some of our earliest wild flowers:
*
Meanwhile the cherry plum tree over the garden hedge, is treating to us to a sherbet pink confection of early blossom:
*
And then one afternoon last week at sunset…
*
…a blackbird perched in the top of our big apple tree and sang a call and answer duet with a compatriot somewhere across the town:
*
And I stood transfixed, listening, breathing in the sappy scents on the air, thinking of spring…
With apologies for the visual shudder
The Changing Seasons: February 2026 Host Brian has a wonderful February gallery featuring his local wildlife. And as ever at Touring My Backyard, Ju-Lyn has both fine views and she’s been creating more fabulous treats in her kitchen.
Refreshing post Tish. Your song bird was in fine voice and early flowers were beautiful. It brightened my morning given the world news.
Thanks, Anne. Yes, the world news was rather the reason I focused on Feb’s best bits.
Nicely written, and beautiful photos. 💜
Thank you 🙂
You’re welcome.
Wish you could see the look on my adolescence male cat Timmy now as he’s responding to the audio in your blackbird video.
Oh, what a hoot! Teasing your cat across interweb 🙂
Who doesn’t love to hear a blackbird. I haven’t seen any here yet. I usually have them visiting, but all the rim and wind must have had an effect on the wildlife too. Officially Cornwall has had its wettest winter since records began in 1836. So it’s balm to the soul to visit your garden. Thank you.
The rainy days don’t seem to be letting up just yet. I’m blaming the 2022 Hunga Tonga volcano that sent 146 trillion grams of the South Pacific into the stratosphere, though I’m not sure that’s making me feel any better about it 😉
Wishing you some blackbirds, Jude.
Rim? How does rain change to that?
Duh!
What an uplifting post! Just what’s needed. And yes, isn’t it wonderful to go out of an early morning with washing to hang out, to be accompanied once more by bird song?
It’s hard to beat the loveliness of birdsong, and yes, hanging out the washing. I managed to do that twice last week.
I’m a bit of a hanging-out-the-washing bore. I do it even when I can only get a couple of hours of it’s-not-raining-yet.
And it includes the added exercise of dashing out when it starts raining 🙂
That too!
I gave a sigh of pleasure at the end, Tish. Those crocuses are glorious xx
The crocus have been lovely this year. They don’t mind the weather 🙂
How wonderful Tish, I do love a gardening and flowers post. Good work with the compost even if the blackbirds are naughty. Their song is wonderful. A lovely bunch of flowers. I must try and see if I can find some purple crocus, I’ve seen a few lately on posts and all I have are the pink flower type.
Thank you for the lovely mention and for joining in The Changing Season 😀
So happy this struck a chord, Brian – all ends up 🙂
Good luck with the crocus hunt.
great post, Tish – the flowers vrought out a lot of joy and that sunset shot – wow – so serene
So pleased you liked this, Yvette.
😊
Wonderful, Tish! So fortunate we are!
Yes, Sarah. We are!
thanks for the bird song, Tish! I rarely hear it where we are
So happy to oblige, Sue.
😀
There really is no better sound in nature than a blackbird’s song! And it’s lovely to see all the spring flowers appearing 🙂
It is a treat to hear after what feels like a long winter 🙂
Such a delightful compilation, Tish. I’m hoping to see some of the beautiful British countryside for the first time, later this year. Hopefully. 🤞🌸
Fingers crossed for the trip, Flavia.
“Blackbird singing in the dead of night…”
That was playing in my head too 🙂
Classics are classics…
You are the glass-half-full, because you look and see. Your spring flowers are gorgeous; please send some spring to snowy New England.
Many thanks, Jennie. I’m sorry you’ve been having such cold and snowy weather. Spring greetings duly dispatched 🙂
😀
Wonderful, vivid and warm photos!!!!
Thank you
You have brought the nippy air into my living room as I view the riot of colour and bird song. I love that spring is so exuberantly heralded by these despite the chill in the air still.
I appreciate the contrast to the hot, muggy morning that is Singapore. But we do have bird song in common; so there is that.
So happy to have you on The Changing Seasons.
Many thanks, Ju-Lyn for that lovely comment.