Here in Valkeakoski we have still about 45 cm of snow and cold weather, temperatures vary from -6 to -20 °C. Sounds like a winter, does it? But when you get out, you can see and hear the signs of spring. European Greenfinches
(Carduelis chloris), Great Tits
(Parus major) and Blue Tits
(Cyanistes cyaneus) are all singing. First Goosanders
(Mergus merganser) and female Common Goldeneye
(Bucephala clangula) have arrived to open streams of Valkeakoski.
Probably these waterfowl do not come from very far, I guess they have been wintering somewhere in Baltic Sea. Anyway, every year these first scouts arrive in February, no matter how mild or cold the winter is. I just wonder when the first Gulls will arrive this year...? Soon, if I'm not totally wrong.
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Author
Olli Haukkovaara
email: olli.haukkovaara @ proton.me
Valkeakoski, Finland
Gyorgy Szimuly (Szimi) 19 February, 2010 01:32
ReplyDeleteI am about 1700 km away from your home but spring has really signs. Bramblings are flocking here, while tits are singing indeed. Blackbirds already showed territorial fights yesterday. Winter is just giving up here so there should be a slow change around you as well.
Cheers, Szimi