All Discussions Tagged 'nature notes' - Harringay online2024-03-28T12:41:12Zhttps://harringayonline.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=nature+notes&feed=yes&xn_auth=noSigns of Spring: the return of the hairy footed flower beestag:harringayonline.com,2024-03-28:844301:Topic:15688162024-03-28T11:11:09.794ZLizhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Liz
<p>One of the insects I look for as soon as the flowers begin to bloom is the lovely little hairy footed flower bees.</p>
<p>In a garden on the Ladder I spent time watching a female, the only all black bee, and the ginger coloured male enjoying rosemary and primula plants. …<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12404958473?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12404958473?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a></p>
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<p>One of the insects I look for as soon as the flowers begin to bloom is the lovely little hairy footed flower bees.</p>
<p>In a garden on the Ladder I spent time watching a female, the only all black bee, and the ginger coloured male enjoying rosemary and primula plants. <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12404958473?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12404958473?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12404958859?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12404958859?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>Thank you everyone who plants a few flowers in their front garden from the bees and from me!</p> Signs of Spring: wrens nestingtag:harringayonline.com,2024-03-27:844301:Topic:15688112024-03-27T15:32:54.643ZLizhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Liz
<p>It's not hard to spot the nesting birds around Harringay at the moment, there's a marvellous magpie nest in one of the trees in my street, you can't miss its big dome shape which I spent several minutes watching two magpies constructing. I've also seen signs of sparrows in a hedge on my street.</p>
<p>Today as I was leaving Railway Fields, I noticed that a wren was hard at work building a nest in the corner of a covered balcony that overlooks Railway Fields. It was quite a distance from me…</p>
<p>It's not hard to spot the nesting birds around Harringay at the moment, there's a marvellous magpie nest in one of the trees in my street, you can't miss its big dome shape which I spent several minutes watching two magpies constructing. I've also seen signs of sparrows in a hedge on my street.</p>
<p>Today as I was leaving Railway Fields, I noticed that a wren was hard at work building a nest in the corner of a covered balcony that overlooks Railway Fields. It was quite a distance from me so I've annotated the photos so that you can spot both the bird and the nest. </p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12404716471?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12404716471?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" class="align-center"/></a>It is the male wren that is the nest builder. He will construct up to a dozen nests and then try to persuade a female that he has mated with to take up residence. So a nest may not even get used if a female decides its not a des res. If, however, she likes it she will line it with moss, feathers and leaves and lay her eggs. I'm not sure (and willing to be corrected) but it looks to me like this wren has some lining material in her mouth and is getting ready to move in.</p>
<p>Although the male is polygamous and only the female incubates, he will help to feed the chicks. At this time of year, he is also fiercely territorial. His astonishingly loud song will signal his presence. Despite his tiny size, weighing about the same as a pound coin, he has a big voice. <span>In fact, per unit weight, a wren sings at ten times the power of a crowing cockerel!</span></p> Signs of Spring: blackthorn blossom at Railway Fieldstag:harringayonline.com,2024-03-20:844301:Topic:15683852024-03-20T14:28:52.263ZLizhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Liz
<p>The dark-hued branches of blackthorn have finally started to bloom. Blackthorn is unusual in that the flowers appear before the leaves.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402815471?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402815471?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a></p>
<p>Blackthorn is, of course, known for its purple-hued fruits called sloes.</p>
<p>Look for it in Railway Fields and other woodland or shrubland areas.…</p>
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<p>The dark-hued branches of blackthorn have finally started to bloom. Blackthorn is unusual in that the flowers appear before the leaves.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402815471?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402815471?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>Blackthorn is, of course, known for its purple-hued fruits called sloes.</p>
<p>Look for it in Railway Fields and other woodland or shrubland areas.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402816097?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402816097?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250" class="align-center"/></a></p> Trees of Harringay: Pairs of Pears on Green Lanestag:harringayonline.com,2024-03-20:844301:Topic:15684802024-03-20T14:15:08.912ZLizhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Liz
<p>Just a week after the <a href="https://harringayonline.com/forum/topics/trees-of-harringay-cherry-blossom-time-blossomwatch" rel="noopener" target="_blank">pink (and pinky white) blossom</a> of the cherry trees, the white froth of ornamental pear trees is erupting along Green Lanes.</p>
<p>Here's one by Railway Fields <br></br><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402811680?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402811680?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350"></img></a> I particularly like the pairs of…</p>
<p>Just a week after the <a href="https://harringayonline.com/forum/topics/trees-of-harringay-cherry-blossom-time-blossomwatch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pink (and pinky white) blossom</a> of the cherry trees, the white froth of ornamental pear trees is erupting along Green Lanes.</p>
<p>Here's one by Railway Fields <br/><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402811680?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402811680?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" class="align-center"/></a> I particularly like the pairs of trees at the entrance to a couple of the Gardens roads</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402812472?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402812472?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><em>Chesterfield Gardens</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><em><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402812298?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12402812298?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" class="align-center"/></a></em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><em>Kimberley Gardens</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Hope you are enjoying hanami on your street </span></p> Trees of Harringay: cherry blossom time! #blossomwatchtag:harringayonline.com,2024-03-14:844301:Topic:15680452024-03-14T15:38:38.274ZLizhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Liz
<p>With the first day of Spring fast approaching, the cherry trees coming into flower feels right on cue. </p>
<p>Here's a sweet one on Umfreville</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12400193478?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12400193478?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350"></img></a></p>
<p>and the pretty Pemberton one that when viewed with the silver wattle behind lifts the spirits even on the darkest, rainiest days …</p>
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<p>With the first day of Spring fast approaching, the cherry trees coming into flower feels right on cue. </p>
<p>Here's a sweet one on Umfreville</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12400193478?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12400193478?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>and the pretty Pemberton one that when viewed with the silver wattle behind lifts the spirits even on the darkest, rainiest days </p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12400193898?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12400193898?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>There are cherry trees in blossom across Harringay right now. </p>
<p>Please share your pictures of cherry blossom in the comments. </p>
<p>Happy Hanami!</p>
<p><em>NB: click on the tag hanami below to see blossom watch pictures from past years</em></p> Signs of Spring: Dandelions are back!tag:harringayonline.com,2024-03-07:844301:Topic:15671252024-03-07T16:27:53.623ZLizhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Liz
<p>Those wonderful and amazing flowers, dandelions, are back!</p>
<p>Look at this bright golden head poking out from the ivy at Railway Fields!</p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398361100?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398361100?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350"></img></a></p>
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<p>or look down by the paths to see them…</p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398361293?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398361293?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350"></img></a></p>
<p>Those wonderful and amazing flowers, dandelions, are back!</p>
<p>Look at this bright golden head poking out from the ivy at Railway Fields!</p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398361100?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398361100?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" class="align-center"/></a></p>
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<p>or look down by the paths to see them</p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398361293?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398361293?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" class="align-center"/></a></p>
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<p>They are adding splashes of gold to the Harringay Passage</p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398361894?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12398361894?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><br/> Dandelions are so good for wildlife. It's always a pleasure to welcome them back. </p>
<p>Grow some in a pot and add them to your spring salads.</p>
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<p></p> Signs of Spring: The first primroses appear in Railway Fieldstag:harringayonline.com,2024-02-29:844301:Topic:15665292024-02-29T15:38:25.033ZLizhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Liz
<p>Those pale yellow flowers with their deeper yellow centre in a rosette of deep green leaves are always a welcome sign of Spring. Look out for them in the Spring meadow at Railway Fields and other open land away from the trees.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391464657?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391464657?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a></p>
<p><em>Primula vulgaris</em> was apparently the Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli's favourite flower. Queen…</p>
<p>Those pale yellow flowers with their deeper yellow centre in a rosette of deep green leaves are always a welcome sign of Spring. Look out for them in the Spring meadow at Railway Fields and other open land away from the trees.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391464657?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391464657?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><em>Primula vulgaris</em> was apparently the Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli's favourite flower. Queen Victoria supposedly sent him bunches regularly and to this day primroses are laid at his statue by Westminster Abbey on April 19th known as 'Primrose Day', the anniversary of his death, every year.</p>
<p>Here's a tenuous connection:</p>
<p>Disraeli was, of course, the Earl of Beaconsfield after whom the <a href="https://harringayonline.com/photo/844301:Photo:34009" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beaconsfield Hotel</a> is named. Disraeli also wrote books called Endymion, Tancred, Venetia, Alroy, Coningsby and Lothair which are the names of the streets on the Ladder nearest to Finsbury Park. Clearly a massive Disraeli fan developed that part of Harringay.</p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391466899?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391466899?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><span>The name derives from the Latin </span><em>prima rosa</em><span> meaning ‘first rose’ of the year, despite not being a member of the rose family. In different counties of England it is also referred to as Butter Rose, Early Rose, Easter Rose, Golden Rose and Lent Rose.</span></p> Trees of Harringay: A pair of little magnolias at the bottom of Cavendishtag:harringayonline.com,2024-02-29:844301:Topic:15666442024-02-29T15:22:51.903ZLizhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Liz
<p>At this time of year, I like to keep my eyes open for the first magnolia buds. Magnolias are such strange and beautiful trees. It's curious to think that these trees evolved 95 million years ago during the Cretaceous period before bees evolved and co-existed with the dinosaurs. They were pollinated by ancient insects, also still with us, that we now call beetles.</p>
<p>They have lovely soft furry buds which erupt into brightly coloured flowers. There's a pair of small magnolia street trees…</p>
<p>At this time of year, I like to keep my eyes open for the first magnolia buds. Magnolias are such strange and beautiful trees. It's curious to think that these trees evolved 95 million years ago during the Cretaceous period before bees evolved and co-existed with the dinosaurs. They were pollinated by ancient insects, also still with us, that we now call beetles.</p>
<p>They have lovely soft furry buds which erupt into brightly coloured flowers. There's a pair of small magnolia street trees that I like to make a bee-line, or should that be a beetle-line to, at this time of year at the bottom of Cavendish standing between Dostlar<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391458260?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391458260?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>and The Dusty Knuckle</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391462871?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391462871?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>Keep an eye on them this month as you walk on Green Lanes as soon this little pair will be full of deep pink flowers</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391463296?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12391463296?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>Why not share your pictures of magnolia trees where you are in the comments?</p> Free nest boxes at Railway Fieldstag:harringayonline.com,2024-02-22:844301:Topic:15659392024-02-22T15:36:14.399ZLizhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Liz
<p>There are still a few nest boxes being given away for free at Railway Fields to celebrate <a href="https://www.nestboxweek.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Nest Box Week.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12374654483?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12374654483?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a></p>
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<p>Please ask at the cabin if they are not outside (due to the horrendous…</p>
<p>There are still a few nest boxes being given away for free at Railway Fields to celebrate <a href="https://www.nestboxweek.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nest Box Week.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12374654483?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12374654483?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250" class="align-center"/></a></p>
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<p>Please ask at the cabin if they are not outside (due to the horrendous weather).</p>
<p></p> Signs of Spring: Lesser Celandines Appear At Railway Fieldstag:harringayonline.com,2024-02-22:844301:Topic:15660292024-02-22T11:58:59.956ZLizhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Liz
<p>Wordsworth's favourite flower is in bloom at Railway Fields.</p>
<p>Yesterday, the <span>21 February, was <strong>Celandine Day.</strong> It has been called that </span><span>since 1795, when the renowned naturalist Gilbert White noted that this was when the first celandines usually appeared in his Hampshire village of Selborne. …</span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12386188453?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12386188453?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350"></img></a></p>
<p>Wordsworth's favourite flower is in bloom at Railway Fields.</p>
<p>Yesterday, the <span>21 February, was <strong>Celandine Day.</strong> It has been called that </span><span>since 1795, when the renowned naturalist Gilbert White noted that this was when the first celandines usually appeared in his Hampshire village of Selborne. </span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12386188453?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12386188453?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Look for them by the gates as you go in on sunny or bright days. </p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12386187895?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12386187895?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" class="align-center"/></a></p>
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<p style="text-align: left;"><span>"There is a Flower, the Lesser Celandine,</span><br/><span>That shrinks, like many more, from cold and rain;</span><br/><span>And, the first moment that the sun may shine,</span><br/><span>Bright as the sun himself, 'tis out again!"</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>from <em>The Lesser Celandine </em>by William Wordsworth</span></p>