How The Weather Has Affected Nature During 2009

The National Trust said the return of hot and dry periods in the summer, and even the colder winter at the beginning of the year, helped repair a lot of damage done over the previous two years.

Some creatures including the daddy-long-legs or cranefly and the cuckoo are continuing to struggle. This is likely to have a huge effect on bat numbers because they rely on the insect for food.

Painted lady butterflies were seen migrating in their millions and it was a good year for seven spot ladybirds. Other butterflies such as Purple emperor butterflies and some other types of insect saw their numbers soar.

Record levels of rain and resulting flooding in parts of the country in November will have damaged habitats and washed out wildlife.

Egrets Flock to British Isles

Climate change is causing egrets and other birdsfrom the Continent to come back to Britain.

For the last 10 years or so Britain has suffered massive declines in many garden and farmland birds including the turtle dove and fieldfare.

But due to mild winters and conservation efforts other bird populations have grown, including the little egret and Mediterranean gull that have flown over the Channel.

You never know, even the hoope, fan-tailed warbler and black kite may arrive in the future as temperatures rise further.

The red kite, bittern and sea eagle have been re-introduced in Britain and are doing well.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds compiled the surveys of threatened birds since 2000 to give a snapshot of the winners and losers of the 21st centry so far.

But, it`s the egret which has seen the biggest overall increase in numbers in the past decade.

Help The Birds Feed in Your Garden

Winter draws on! And with that in mind now is as good a time as any to start thinking of ways to help out our feathered friends - the birds. Putting fresh water and food out is a great way to entice birds in to your garden. More than that, you are helping to feed those little creatures which so often struggle when the weather turns cold. Bird feeders aren`t that expensive, going from plain to more ornate ones. If you haven`t got a bird feeder yet why not think about it and enjoy the pleasures of having birds come and feed in your garden or backyard?

New Features With My New Template

Green Fingers I Wish has changed to the better `layouts` template I`m happy to say. I`m looking forward to trying out the new features.

Frosty Mornings

It`s getting that time of year with the early moning frosts where everything looks white and crisp outdoors.

The cars have to be cleared of frost, the trees are shedding their leaves, and the grass is no longer growing. I`m not a lover of the cold, but I have to say from the inside of the house looking out it really can be very picturesque.