Spring ahead

I’ll start by expressing hope that an article on spring preparation isn’t too optimistic. With the vagaries of our climate as they are, the changes of the forthcoming months actually delivering some decent weather must be matched by the chances of getting more of the incessant rain we have endured during the autumn and winter.

Whatever the weather conditions may be, nature and the countryside will continue to march towards better days. As far as I’m concerned, the generally manic winter mating season for foxes is already a thing of the past, the end of January seeing virtually the last of their procreational activities. Looking back, I have to say it’s been one of the quietest mating seasons I have known for a long time. The haunting cries of dogs and vixens have been noticeably rare, though I know full well that there are plenty of foxes about. As I’ve said before, perhaps the very fact there are plenty about dispenses with the