Dyserth Times is a not-for-profit community magazine
published by Peter J Robinson solely for the benefit of the communities of Dyserth & Cwm
Email: dyserthtimeseditor@gmail.com
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Greetings from your new Editor.
I start with a vote of thanks to Katie and her family for keeping the magazine going since she took over with Issue 96 in 2018, I hope I can continue as well as she did. Our volunteer distributors also deserve a mention and another huge vote of thankswithout them you probably wouldn’t be reading this. Thanks also to our advertisers and to the Community Council who guaranteed the funding for this year.
We came to Dyserth in 1979, a few months after we were married.
I had no prior connection with the village but Rhiannon can trace relatives from here as far back as the late 1700s.
Her Nain (Grandmother) was born in 1893 at Tyn y Clwt in Dyserth and by 1901 was living at Long Acre Cottages. She attended the old school on the hill, opposite what was the Cross Keys. Mary Ellen Jones, in the back row, 6th from left.
For years we wondered where Tyn y Clwt had been - it was mentioned on her birth certificate and on census records. But we were quite excited to find it from tythe maps last year, just off a public footpath near Long Acre Cottages - though there is no trace of a dwelling now. There may well be others in the village with connections to Tyn y Clwt (also know as Ty yn y Clwt), if you would like to know where it is I can send you a map.
You may have come across my website, www.dyserth.com. I started this in 2006 and it has well over 1,000 pictures in the old photograph galleries. Although I now edit this magazine as well there is no other connection between the two.
Dyserth Times is funded by advertising and assistance from Dyserth Community Council. Nobody involved in the magazine, including myself, receives any financial benefit.
1,400 copies of each edition are printed and 1,300 are delivered to households in Dyserth and Cwm. Copies for archiving are also sent to Rhyl Library and to the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.
It is once again online - go to issuu.com and search for Dyserth Times.
Peter J Robinson
Dyserth Community Council Cynghor
Reported Criminal Offences in Dyserth:
The following criminal offences have been reported to the North Wales Police; that have occurred within the Community Council area:
1 x Burglary / 2 x Theft / 3 x Violence offences / 2 x Vehicle crime / 3 other offences (not disclosed).
Dyserth Junior Football Club:
The Dyserth Community Council have recently financially assisted the Dyserth Junior Football Club with funding towards various Club purchases, including the provision of a secure compound which has been sited near the football pitch in the King George Recreational area –as photograph:
County Councillor David Williams:
County Councillor David Williams advised Members in relation to the following:
(1) Parking in restricted areas in Dyserth High Street. Notification from County Enforcement Officer that several parking tickets have been issued. Councillor Williams will seek further enforcement visits
(2) Further concerns expressed to Denbighshire Highways in relation to the inappropriate usage of the Allt Y Graig road in (Mia Hall junction) by HGV’swith a request for a larger prohibition signage on the A5151 road
(3) Complaints from residents in relation to the unacceptable television reception in Maes Esgob following the building of properties on the new housing estate. The concerns are being investigated by the County including the development contractor
(4) Further discussions with Denbighshire County Council in relation to the diversion of flood water in the area of Hiraddug Road, Dyserth
(5) Further discussions in relation to the Dyserth Flood Defence Scheme. Denbighshire County Council are seeking clarification from Natural resources Wales to establish where the project sits on their priority list
(6) A number of white lines, in particular, ‘Slow’ require re-painting, together with actual signage requires updating on the B5119 Waterfall Hill Road
(7) Councillor David Parry discussed a request from a resident for a street lamp to be installed in the area between the new housing development and play area in
Maes Esgob. As this is County Council land the resident be advised to compete an on-line form requesting a new lamp
(8) Councillor Emyr Morris enquired in relation to the opening times of the public conveniences sited in the Waterfall car park. It was advised, that these conveniences are classed as seasonal; a previous request by the Dyserth Council for the conveniences to be opened all year were refused by the County Council
(9) Request for additional play area equipment in the Maes Esgob children’s play area. Referred to the County Council
(10) Councillor Williams provided Members with details from a recent Denbighshire County Council meeting, in particular, in relation to the introduction of the default 20mph speed limit in Wales.
Planning Applications:
The following planning applications have been commented upon by the Community Council:
1) Application number: 42/2022/0766 - for demolition of existing buildings and erection of 2 dwellings, 2 detached garages, formation of access, parking areas, landscaping and associated works, at land at Pentre Bach Farm, Lower Foel Road, Dyserth
2) Application number: 42/2022/0874 - for the erection of extension and alterations to dwelling, including new first floor accommodation, installation of solar panels and air source heat pump, at 17 St. Asaph Road, Dyserth
3) Application number: 42/2022/0940 – for the erection of ground and first floor extensions to dwelling, including alterations to roof, first floor balcony, ground floor veranda, landscaping and associated works, at Heather Bank, 103 Cwm Road, Dyserth
4) Application number: 42/2022/1046 – for variation of condition no. 2 of planning permission code no. 42/2018/0929 to allow amended design, at Dincolyn, Dyserth
5) Application number: 42/2022/1045 – for alterations to existing access and associated works, at Bron Berllan Isaf, Hiraddug Road, Dyserth
6) Application number: 42/2022/0993 – for erection of extension and alterations to dwelling, formation of parking area and associated works, at Clwydfa, 117 Cwm Road, Dyserth.
Planning Decisions:
The following planning decisions have been received from Denbighshire County Council:
(1) Application number: 42/2022/0850 – for erection of single and two storey extensions to rear of dwelling and associated works, at 4 Maes Hyfryd, Dyserth. Granted
(2) Application number: 42/2022/0874 – for the erection of extension and alterations to dwelling, including new first floor accommodation, installation of solar panels and air source heat pump, at 17 St. Asaph Road, Dyserth. Refused
(3) Application number: 42/2022/1046 – for variation of condition number 2 of planning permission code no: 42/2018/0929 to allow amended design, at Dincolyn, Dyserth. Approved.
Request for Handrail:
Councillor Delyth LloydWilliams addressed Councillors in relation to her concerns to the lack of a hand rail on the A5151 Road - from its junction with the B5119 Waterfall traffic lights junction. –towards High Street.
(Picture: Google street view)
Councillor Lloyd-Williams recollected the ceasing of a number of Arriva bus services that used to travel through the High Street centre; nowadays passengers have to alight at the traffic lights junction and walk up the hill. Whilst this is extremely difficult for a number of residents and especially during the winter months and inclement weather the pavements are quite dangerous for all pedestrians. The Council have written to Denbighshire Highways seeking their observations for the provision of a hand rail on one or both sides of the street, or other supportive assistance.
Applications for Financial Support and Donations:
The Community Council have provided the following financial assistance: £819 – Purchase and installation of new cooker at Patterson Hall / £200.00 - Dyserth Junior Football Club – to cover cost of new football nets, step ladders and paint for goalposts / £200.00 - Macmillan Cancer Support.
CYNGOR CYMUNED DYSERTH DYSERTH COMMUNITY COUNCIL Community Award
The Community Council wish to receive from residents nominations for a Community Award. The award is to promote pride and give recognition to those who have made a significant contribution within the community as something to be valued. The presentation of the award will provide an opportunity to increase awareness of those people - who voluntarily and selflessly work to improve and enhance the lives of people in the Dyserth Community Council area - and to allow that work to be celebrated. The nominees can be an adult (over 18), a young person (under 18) or a Community Committee / Group, who must either reside, provide a contribution to the area, or be registered within the Dyserth Community Council boundary. The award policy and nomination form are available to download from the Council’s web site at: www.dyserthcouncil.wales (Public Notices & Financial – Page). Copies can be e-mailed or posted upon application to the Clerk – as contact details below. The closing date for nominations is 12 Noon on Friday 5th May, 2023.
R. Phillip Parry, Clerk & Financial Officer to Dyserth Community Council Tel: 01352 720547 E-mail: clerk@dyserthcouncil.wales
Horeb United Reformed Church - Eglwys Unedig Diwygiedig Horeb
An update from Allan Morgan
The continuing story of how Horeb has moved 'back to normal' - albeit a 'New Normal' and slightly different.
Son of Food Co-op - Well the 'Usual Suspects' continue to turn up - so we must be doing something right.
I must remind readers again that this is not in any way a 'closed shop' - it is open to all on Wednesdays (10.00 to 12.00. Tea / coffee / biscuits / cakes (occasionally) are provided; the cost being covered by donation.
A relaxing time in good company with tea/coffee made to order and if it doesn't suit you - we'll show you where the Lincat is.
Community Lunches (Second Tuesday of the Month from 12.30 p.m.)
Three months in - still up and running although the cooker problems are still in the process of being resolved. However, the wiring for the new appliance was installed yesterday So we now await the cooker which is being held at the suppliers and hopefully a few days after its arrival we will be up and running. You will hear the sigh of relief as this saga ends.
Our thanks go to the Community Council for their patience and support during this frustrating time.
Time to Celebrate A couple of weeks or so ago, two of our members celebrated birthdays within a day of each other, and as the total number of years involved was significant we held a 'Big Bash' Birthday Celebration of Colin Richards and Liz Prichard's birthdays (93 and 94 respectively) alongside the Coffee morning on a Wednesday.
We had a fair crowd, some 30+ folk made up of both Horeb members and those who attend the weekly 'Son of Food Co-op' and had attended 'Food Co-op' when Colin and Elizabeth had rune this prior to the arrival of Covid when the Food Co-p, along with the rest of the U.K. ground to a halt. Present also were Liz's daughter, Colin's daughter and her husband doing grandparent duty with their granddaughter and Colin's great-granddaughter; and, also on one of her first trips out after being rather poorly - Colin's wife Elizabeth.
There were cakes, biscuits and savoury bites galore; cards and candles (which seemed more like not so small incendiary devices) - not forgetting some pots of Snowdrops from Dave Wilson garden; 'Happy Birthday' was sung and from the noise of the chatter and laughter from everyone a good time was had by all.
Cakes and Savouries were very generously supplied by those attending and the 'guests' 'paid' for their refreshments by donating to Christian Aid - raising a total of some £80 (£30.00 for snowdrops)
So what is back to Normal Yes, Horeb is returning to near normal - so to repeat -
• We hold Services every week [Sundays (10.30 to 11.30)] and enjoy social time with tea/coffee and biscuits afterwards.
• The weekly Service is available 'live' to all on Zoom on a Sunday morning and available on Facebook from Sunday afternoon.
DETAILS Join us - live on zoom (meeting id 923 732 5176 password 3fHEG9)
- on Facebook (Horeb United Reformed Church Zoom Services, Dyserth) at any time
• We are continuing, for our members who are still unable to attend for Sunday Worship or manage Zoom, to send by e-mail, CONTACT. Issued every week (currently No 92), this is a brief Service in print produced by Rev. Colin Richards whose 'thoughts' are well worth a read. In addition to CONTACT, recipients are kept up to date by a copy of the notices which are later read out at the start of the Service on Sunday Morning.
Ongoing 'still missing'
The Village quiz - is now on my list of things to get on with. Details will be published on the Dyserth Times Facebook page within a few weeks. I know I said this in the last issue - my apologies - it will happen!
But Something 'Not Missing'
It's taken a while - but to paraphrase Mr Schwarzenegger 'It's back!' Yes the Swinging Horeb Sign at the front of the Church has returned. Many thanks are needed for those who carried this out:
The Wilson family who did much of the heavy lifting in taking the sign down for repair; Trefor Suddick who organised its repair and to our friend Paul Rad who did a grand job refreshing the paintwork and then helping Dave Wilson with the re-hanging.
Ongoing issues
Building Maintenance Refurbishing the porch Stage 1 - the repair of the failed pointing has been completed - the porch is now weatherproof. Stage 2 - the repair and re-plastering of the porch interior began yesterday, is being worked on as I write this and should be completed by the end of the day.
Finances These are, I'm afraid always going to be a problem. The Hiring of Paterson Hall and other space in Horeb is a major source of income which has still to return to a pre-Covid level and with the increase in fuel costs it is increasingly difficult to balance what hirers can afford to pay and what we need to charge to cover our costs - let alone gain some 'income'.
BUT - if anyone needs to hire some space for a club or event The Paterson Hall is still available for Hiring for several hours during the week. Indeed if anyone reading has a need or knows anyone who wishes to Hire a space, they should contact Barbara Tebbutt on 01745 570793 or me on 01745 570364.
Aware that we, in many ways, are battling for the survival of Horeb, the Elders and Members, remain determined to continue to work hard and to do our best to keep Horeb Chapel alive and well.
Finally, as usual, you know where we are, you know we will be open for worship at 10.30 a.m. every Sunday.
So, I'll sign off wishing all a happy Easter and, if you are thinking about joining us for worship one Sunday, You will be very welcome.
Allan Morgan (Horeb Elder)Best Solar Panel Installer of the Year!
On Feb 10th, J M Renewable (JMR) Solutions Ltd won in the category ‘Best Solar PV Installer/Contractor of the year’ at the Regional Energy Efficiency Awards (EEA) 2023. This award recognises the efforts of fully qualified solar photovoltaic installers and contractors that provide excellent customer service and demonstrate a high standard of quality workmanship or best practice within their local community.
The winners were announced at an annual industry event hosted at the iconic St David’s Hotel in Cardiff. JMR won because they installed over 524 solar panels in 2022 and the award recognises this outstanding achievement. This follows on from JMR winning solar PV contractor of 2021, and 250,000+ project of the year 2019 awards.
Director Ben Musgrave said: “I feel honoured that JMR has been considered as Wales’ highest quality installer by the EEA. I’m so proud of the whole team at JMR for their continued hard work and passion for renewable energy. We wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for the high-quality workmanship, skills and dedication of our staff.”
JMR were established in 2014 by two brothers and a friend. James Musgrave has been an Electrician for over 24 years and Martin Jones has been a heating engineer for 24 years. The company came together when Ben Musgrave gained a Masters in Renewable Energy and Resource management at Cardiff University and they decided to unite together to create JMR. At present, JMR have 22 staff and have moved into a new 5,871 square foot premises at Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate, near Rhyl, to meet growing demand for renewable energy. JMR have an exciting future ahead, and further growth is planned to satisfy growing demand for their services.
The UK Government has set out a roadmap to achieve the net zero target by 2050. This coupled with the cost-of-living crisis, means that the importance of going green has never been greater. Renewable energy can be the most cost-effective investment because it has such a high return on investment rate. Some households can have a return on investment in 3 to 4 years and will continue to save year on year.
To discuss your renewable energy needs, contact us via:
Phone: 01745 404004
Email: info@jmrenewables.co.uk
Website: www.jmrenewables.co.uk
A Welshman in Wyoming
Reverend John Roberts was born at Llewerllyd Farm, Dyserth, on March 31st, 1853. Son of Robert & Elinor Roberts. He was educated at Ruthun Grammar School and St David’s College, Lampeter and graduated with a BA in 1876. In 1878 he was ordained to the Deaconate in Lichfield Cathedral.
For a short time, he was a curate at Dawley Magna in Shropshire. He then went to the Bahamas in 1878. There he was ordained to the priesthood and became chaplain of St Matthew Cathedral; he also worked hard amongst the coloured people especially in the leper colonies.
Although this work was hard, he sought a greater challenge. But during this time he met his future wife who was organist at the cathedral (more about this later). Two years later he sailed for New York and applied “To minister to the American Indians”, he asked Bishop John Spalding of Wyoming and Colorado for missionary work “in your most difficult field”. He was told he could go to the Shoshone and Bannock Indian Agency in Wyoming Territory. Years later it became known as the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Firstly, Bishop Spalding sent John Roberts to Greeley Colorado and then on to Pueblo to work amongst the coal miners. At Pueblo he was appointed rector of Trinity Church and in 1882 established Trinity mission in South Pueblo. Whilst there, an outbreak of smallpox occurred. For several weeks he had to work at the hospital as they were all quarantined.
On February 1st, 1883, he left Pueblo by train and travelled via Cheyenne to Green River Wyoming. On the 2nd of February the Stage coach could not leave Green River for the Shoshone and Bannock Indian Agency because of a ferocious blizzard. The agency was 150 miles away. But the mail had to be delivered. Four horses were harnessed to a big dry goods box on runners. Hay was spread on the floor of the box. The driver was almost ready to go when he noticed a young man with his dog. The man told the driver that he wanted to go as soon as possible. His name was John Roberts.
They had a terrible journey; it took 8 days instead of 36 hours. The stage stations were about 15 to 20 miles apart and were hard to find because of the high drifts. John kept warm by shovelling snow. The temperature at Fort Washakie registered at 60 degrees below zero (F), when the exhausted party arrived.
John Roberts soon settled to a very primitive way of life. The Indians were very poor and he was kept very busy with the two tribes on the Reservation. The Shoshones were mountain Indians and the Arapahoe were Plains Indians and they were not very friendly towards each other. Fort Washakie was about 20 miles from where the Arapahoe’s lived. The Shoshones were settled around Fort Washakie.
He gradually gained their confidence. He learned both their languages and wrote down their vocabulary.
Unlike many other missionaries Roberts was concerned that the Indians retained their
culture, identity and languages, at the same time preparing them to cope with the modern developing world around them. He also wrote about the many characters he came to know and love during his work.
It took several years before Christian burials became the norm. Chief Washakie, Chief of the Shoshone tribe was quite a character and changed his religion several times. In 1887 he gave John Roberts 160 acres of land to build a mission school and house about 2 miles from the Fort. The government had already given money for an industrial school near the Fort, but no furniture. The boys were to be taught to make furniture for the school.
He sent begging letters to people who he hoped would sponsor his project. He built a large house of bricks, made on site, which looked similar to the farmhouse where he was born in Dyserth. They took in boarders mainly Shoshone and Arapahoe girls.
During his first year he sent a letter to his fiancée Laura Alice Brown in faraway Bahamas telling her that under no circumstances was she to follow him out to Wyoming. The winters were atrocious and she would not survive the primitive conditions out there. She was from a wealthy family in Nassau and was used to servants and private tutors. She replied and said she was coming and would arrive at the end of the year.
At the age of 19 she travelled 5,000 miles via Liverpool and New York and as far as Rawlins, Wyoming, the nearest railway stop to the Reservation. Roberts had to guess as to her date of arrival at Rawlins. He left the Fort on December 24th by stagecoach and arrived on the 25th in the afternoon.
Laura had arrived that morning. It had been 3 years since they had seen each other and at first she did not recognise him under his large buffalo hide coat. They were married at 4pm that day and it was the first wedding at the new St Thomas Episcopal Church. They were strangers in town, but the Church was full and the congregation wished them well in their new life together. They left the next day for the two day trip to the Reservation. They rested for day at Lander before finishing their journey.
For a few years they lived in a tiny cabin until they moved to the Mission House where they lived in 2 small rooms. She supported her husband well in all that he did but was very lonely at times as he was often away. She lost her first child a boy who only lived a few hours. He is buried in the Military cemetery at the Fort. She had 5 other children, Eleanor, Gwen, Marion and Gladys and 1 son Edward. All the children became fluent in both the Indian languages and were taught alongside the native children.
John Roberts established Churches in Lander, Milford, Dubois, Thermopolis, Hudson, Riverton, Ethete, and held services in Atlantic city, Lyons Valley, South Pass to name but a few.
Chief Washakie is also buried in the Military cemetery. He died in 1900 at about the age of 100 years old and was very helpful in the first few years of John Roberts mission. It is said that he is the only Indian chief to have had a military funeral and was held in high esteem by the soldiers at the Fort. The Rev. Roberts officiated at his funeral.
The second year he was at the Fort he was asked to go and see a very old Indian woman whom he was told was Sacajawea. She had been a translator and guide to the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-6, who found the route from the east of the USA to the Pacific. She was also about 100 years old.
On April 9th, 1884, Sacajawea died and her burial was officiated by John Roberts.
She is buried in a cemetery about 2 miles from the Fort near where the mission house was to be built. A large headstone was erected many years later and it is visited often by tourists.
John Roberts was given several honours for his pioneering work and his untiring efforts in teaching. In 1932 he was awarded a Doctorate of Laws in Wyoming and a Doctorate of Divinity at Evanston, Illinois.
In 1933 in honour of both Mr and Mrs Roberts the flag of Wyoming was presented to the great choir of the National Cathedral in Washington. He died in 1949, he and Laura are both buried in Lander with some of their children buried around them.
This is a condensed version of a story on my website, with many photos, written by Heulwen Jones of Old Colwyn. While in the USA she and her husband came across a book about John Roberts and visited the area. www.dyserth.com
Pete RobinsonSt Kentigern Hospice – Help Your Hospice Appeal
Running costs of the Hospice have increased by 67%. We are fundraising to continue keeping our patients safe, warm and comfortable.
The energy crisis has impacted charities nationwide. The running costs of St Kentigern Hospice have increased by 67% over the last 12 months.
During the COVID 19 pandemic, we lost 60% of our fundraising income. Things have been made even more challenging due to the current economic crisis we are now facing across the UK.
St Kentigern Hospice is YOUR Hospice. We exist for YOU, for when YOU need us most. We cannot compromise on keeping our patients warm, safe and comfortable when they need us most.
We are asking for donations to help keep the Hospice running during these challenging times. We need to continue to provide the much needed support for our patients and their families.
You can either donate online through our
Just Giving Page St Kentigern Hospice
Help Your Hospice Appeal or get in touch with the fundraising team directly to make an offline donation.
Perhaps you could donate your daily coffee purchase for a week or even a good old fashioned bake sale! Whatever you can spare, your kind donation means that people with life limiting illnesses and their families will continue to receive our expert attention, support and end of life care.
We hope to raise £20,000 over the following three months to go towards our increase in energy costs.
Media Contact - Rhiannon Parry, Community and Events Fundraiser, 07513823838
r.parry@stkentigernhospice.org.uk
www.stkentigernhospice.org.uk
Women’s Institute (WI) Sefydliad y Merched (SyM)
At the February meeting our speaker was Pete from the RNLI. He shared with us the fascinating history of Rhyl RNLI Lifeboat. He told us all about the lifeboats that have been in service for many years ensuring that swimmers and sailors are kept safe on the coast around Rhyl. He explained the difference types of launches including both the lifeboat proper and the inshore vessel. It was no hardship to purchase many of the promotional items once we understood how much was needed to subsidise this vital service. We also now know that the Lifeboat and the Coastguard Services are NOT the same!
Our next meeting, 10th March, was planned to combine St David’s Day and Easter celebrations. We were also going to be celebrating International Women’s Day which took place the day before [9th March]. Sadly, we fell foul of the snowy weather and had to cancel! We will try to include some of the planned elements into future meetings.
Members are excited by the opportunity to join forces with Dyserth Environmental Group in March planting 420 saplings. We also have a special event of our own taking place on 22nd April. We are holding a Crafting Jamboree at Seabank Drive Community Centre. We will have for sale: hand crafted items, fabrics/wool, crafting books, dress/knitting patterns, preloved items and, of course, cakes.
Members were also reminded of the benefits of regularly looking at The WI website for all the information from the national organisation as well as gardening tips, crafting ideas and recipes.
On The WI page members will also find information about current national campaigns e.g.:
• Thinking Differently; Autistic and ADHD Women and Girls [the campaign to raise awareness and to take action to improve the diagnosis process]
• Food Matters [Reducing food waste and tackling food poverty] and
• SOS for Honeybees [Raising awareness of the plight of honeybees]
Dyserth W.I. continues to offer fun and friendship to any woman living in and around Dyserth including Trelawnyd, Rhyl, Rhuddlan and Prestatyn.
We meet at 7.00 p.m. on the second Friday of every month [except August]
If you want to keep up with our activities, then find us on Facebook. Just type in Dyserth WI to see pictures and articles about past events and outings.
If you are interested in joining Dyserth WI or want to find out more please contact our President, Linda on reesowen.lro@gmail.com or our new secretary on hughesann059@gmail.com
Nature’s Corner – Cornel Nature Springing into action
Wow, have you noticed how everything is so very eager to get going this year? On a lovely evening in late January, a Song thrush was belting it out for the 2 hours I sat in the viewing hide at Big Pool Wood, Gronant; his beautiful song comprising repeated phrases as if to get the point home to any female in the area, and later to sweeten the heart of the missus sat on the eggs.
So many Daffodils were about to open in February and Snowdrops were flowering all over the shop, even the Camelias are beginning to flower with more buds than we’ve ever had.
A walk along the “Cut” or small ditch that runs at the North side of the Morfa reserve in Prestatyn, (basically the old tip) showed Mallards; no, not skating around on ice but breeding enthusiastically in February. Quite comical to watch as the pair tootle about together in the water muttering to themselves and then all at once the Drake starts to nod his head with intention and she knows what that means, he becomes all amorous and grabs the feathers at the back of her neck and proceeds to fully submerge the poor girl before the task is completed. A quick shake down and a restorative preen and it’s back to pootling about as if nothing had happened.
Wrens have started singing their unmistakable routine, which is always the same trilling sequence no matter which male is performing it, usually from a prominent post or tree branch.
Also during February, we have seen House Sparrows collecting feathers and looking a little confused as to what to do with them exactly; perhaps last year’s hatchlings doing it instinctively and checking out nest boxes along with Blue Tits. It’s all great to see and hear of course but it could all come crashing down if another “Beast from the East” were to hit us.
There really is something special about having Frogspawn in your own garden pond and we eagerly await some appearing in ours; created last year for Wildlife. I introduced about 30 tiny Froglets probably half an inch in length into the pond from one belonging to a mate who had hundreds of them swimming about. If nothing materialises, it’ll be a case of cadging some from a friend’s garden again where quite
often in a smaller pond, the amount of spawn over crowds everything else in it. Watching their progress from eggs to Tadpoles through to tiny Froglets emerging from the water is something I have never tired of in all my years.
Nuthatches are calling in good numbers too; Dyserth is a particularly good place for these dapper looking birds with their slate blue back, apricot chest and striking black stripe that runs through the eye from the long beak and over the ear cover, giving them a Bandit type appearance! A regular at the garden feeders too, although normally only a single bird will appear, more often than not approaching from a nearby tree where they will walk down the trunk and at some point, hang in an unlikely pose by the tips of their claws with their head at 90 degrees to the trunk before heading off to collect a peanut or Sunflower heart; their favourite.
Fiercely and loudly defending territory, they will nest in an old Woodpecker hole or similar, even a nest box if it is in a wooded area, and uniquely, will reduce the hole size to suit their own body width using wet mud which will dry like concrete and provide extra protection for the young. Nutties nest all over the outskirts of the village in the wooded areas though once the eggs are hatched and they are feeding hungry mouths, they stay quiet so as not to attract attention, a clever ploy not adopted by all birds especially Great Spotted Woodpeckers if you’ve ever heard their nestlings making a racket waiting to be fed!
Yes, a great time to get out and exercise the senses, Spring is happening now and it’s fabulous.
Dave Parry.
