h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It's St Brigid's day, the traditional first day of Spring here in Ireland. Not much sign of it; it's still cold and grey. Usually we don't see Spring for another two weeks or so, around the 15th.

The Bouganvillea on my front windowsill has just started sprouting flowers.

This is a good sign of spring.

Also, I was able to cycle a downhill on my long commute to work yesterday in partial daylight (and so do it at full pelt) for the first time since early November. Another good sign.

And the snow has all melted now - that's at least not sign of winter anymore.

"It's St Brigid's day, the traditional first day of Spring here in Ireland. Not much sign of it; it's still cold and grey. Usually we don't see Spring for another two weeks or so, around the 15th."

Obviously St Brigid is still operating on the Julian calender or she's joined the Orthodox Church

Some good signs today carrion crows have starting using their "honking car horn" courting call, there were six jays chasing each other around making lovely soft calls (reminded me of the calls of Azure Jays in Brazil) rather than their usual arguementative screeching and best of all lesser celandine in flower an good month early...........they the whole day was ruined by findinmg an oiled bird satruggling on the beach

Not good at all

My snowdrops and daffodils are in bud and the sun is promising to stay out most of the day

Snowdrops - - check
Crocuses - - check
longer evenings - - - check
above freezing - - check
rain - - check
wind - - check
All systems go, here.

Odd day today - the cliff tops were getting the full force of a wintery north wind while the "undercliff" was still and bathed in sunshine - lots of frisky birds and singing, more celadine in flower and sea pink coming into flower, and a couple of queen bumble bees.

I've just moved desk within my office, and the new desk has lovely Spring sunshine streaming in the windows.

Good move! Has someone had to move to your more shady area, or was the place free anyway?

I'm jealous

My name is {...insert scratchy noises...} Slim Shady in this office.

I'm going with going outside to the liquid Nitrogen tanks and seeing the sun hadnl;t se yet and checking my watch and it was well after 4pm - and me thinking, the lights coming back.

Nnot spring exactly, but a sure sign of the season changing...

Saw a flock of geese flying overhead this morning. They're leaving Ireland and flying North to Iceland and Greenland now that Spring is here.

I saw a hoopoe in February a few years ago.

I've never seen hoopoes in Ireland, although they have been seen occasionally by others. I saw hoopoes in southern Egypt, where they look more appropriate.

"I saw a hoopoe in February a few years ago"

There is on near Poole Harbour at the moment.

So they've finally returned after the Japanese bombardment?

erm... that would be Poole Harbour - third largest natural harbour in the world, it's a bit on the shallow side so if you tried to park a battleship in it it would get stuck in the mud - still its nice for the birds.

And here they are: http://vimeo.com/18813015

More remarkable footage of flocking: http://vimeo.com/6434925

Seeing footage on BBC America of the snow and cold
being inflicted upon Europe in general and especially
on The Isle of Man and parts of Ireland I had to search
out this 'old' thread and offer my sympathies.

Back in February Gnomon had said:

>> Saw a flock of geese flying overhead this morning. They're
leaving Ireland and flying North to Iceland and Greenland now
that Spring is here. <<

At the time I was quite envious of an early spring in Europe
as I sat under minus 20C temps in a couple of feet of snow and
knowing I had at least another two months before I saw any green
shoots in my lawn and garden.

Today, it is still unseasonably cold here and a recent snowfall
has buried us again in another foot. And while this is to be
expected here in the Great White North I am hopeful that spring
will be coming soon and want to offer my sincerest sympathy for
Europeans in general for having to experience this 'coldest and
wettest winter and spring' you've had in half a century.


~jwf~

Thanks ~jwf~. It has come as quite a shock to us.