There has been talk of climate change for years now, and while the alleged experts continue to debate the causes, the weather and seasons become ever more erratic and unpredictable, to the point where the process has now been given a name, “Weather Weirding.”
Across the globe, incidents of severe and extreme weather are now becoming the norm.
I have certainly noticed a change in the weather. Fifteen years ago I began a weather diary and recorded extreme and unusual weather worldwide. The amount of times I found myself writing….. The worst in 50yrs, or a 100yrs etc, was astonishing. I have discarded that diary as climate change is now a fact.
This year autumn has been milder than spring…to date! Many plants still have their leaves, bulbs are coming up and buds are appearing everywhere. This wisteria still has its leaves and is now covered in buds.
I think the trees would have held onto their leaves if it wasn’t for the two recent storms we’ve had, which have stripped most of them bare. Despite the high winds and lashing rain, the temperatures are still unseasonably warm. Now, snow is being forecast for the weekend. The garden and the wildlife that share it, won’t know what’s hit them!
This year has been extremely difficult; I’d say it’s been the most exhausting year I’ve ever known at the rescue. The Wildlife unit has been utterly bombarded with 25% more chicks, adult birds, foxes, hedgehogs and hoglets. The usual spring influx was late, then chaos ensued with animals pouring in, in droves! We barely coped and completely ran out of space.
Many factors contributed, weather being the determining one. Lack of rain, too much rain, cold spells, unusually hot spells, high winds….all of these were out of season, all of them lasted for far too long.
At this time of the year we tend to quieten down, with only juvenile hogs being brought in, and we have far more of those too…..but, now we have chicks and even ducklings, yes, in November! Nature is out of kilter, there is no doubt about that!
I’m beginning to seriously fear for our native species, and for all species worldwide…including the poor and the vulnerable. To think all living things have adapted to a climate over millions of years, only to suddenly find it changed beyond adaptability.
Ten years ago we had thirty million hedgehogs, we now have one million. They are likely to be extinct in ten years if this trend continues…..water voles, dormice, and other creatures have less time than that.
A hedgehog, unhappily taking a bath to rid it of persistent ringworm.
Not the easiest creature to dry….
Baby guinea pigs having a bath too…
Now….
as I’ve done little gardening this spring, I’ve had plenty of time to think about improvements, and have decided that my veggie patch in the front garden is far too small….so….I’ve asked a chap to build me six raised beds! I didn’t think it through though, and now I’m wondering where on earth they are all going to go! They’re going to be 3x4ft and 2ft high.
Somewhere in the courtyard maybe? I could certainly water them here more easily, and in my pj’s too, as nobody can see me there!
On the subject of improvements, I have been thinking about adding a conservatory, how lovely it must be to have one to sit in all year round, and imagine all the exotic plants I could have, but, where would that go? The house is already a little like a rabbit warren, with rooms everywhere! Maybe I should add a water room instead….decisions, decisions eh?
And Finally….
Everytime we feed the birds at the rescue I’m always astonished at the rugby scrum!
These were all released on site many moons ago, now they’re all released in my garden. I do hope I don’t end up with this many!!!
I certainly do remember how we were all told how warm it would become, I also remember one lone voice saying it would become much wetter! It is the butterfly’s wing, no one knows how it will all pan out, but the changes are obvious everywhere.
I can’t wait to get cracking on the raised beds, I just have to figure out where to put them.
You do make me laugh, I can just imagine all those exotic plants mingled with pianos, keyboards and wires!!! I’m with you on the books, I have far too many and they migrate simply everywhere! Thanks Chloris.xxx
Do you remember when we were told that global warming meant that it would get hot and we would all have to learn how to grow a Mediterranean garden? Instead we have storms and terrifyingly turbulent weather and the horrifying possibility that we could lose the Gulf Stream here in the UK. It is all butterfliy’ s wing stuff and we have no real idea how it will pan out. Meanwhile on the Snowbird estate – raised veggie beds. You will love them, I am so pleased with mine. They are easy to look after and everything grows so sell with the layers of good stuff. As for a conservatory, what heaven. I used to have one in my old life and I lived in there in winter. Now I still grow tender plants and I have to accommodate them in the house and they are everywhere, every room is a jungle, much to the Pianists disgust. But then he has pianos and keyboards and endless cables snaking everywhere, so he can’ t say much. We have to live with each others’ obsessions. And we both have far too many books, spilling out of the bookcases. Still, I suppose that’ s what makes it a home. But it’ s not very elegant.
The trouble with climate change is that too many people seem to be failing to grasp what it’s about. Perhaps it’s so big it seems inconceivable. Perhaps they think it’s a problem for another generation; another country; someone else.
I agree about climate change, most people seem to see it as some urban myth that won’t come to pass or affect them! Sadly, it’s far too real and will affect us all. Thanks Sarah.xxx
It certainly does feel all worrying, and it is so sad to think of no more hedgehogs, dormice and water voles – so sad. I worry about the birds – the dawn chorus used to be so deafening once upon a time and now so much quieter – so many less birds. It will be a very sad quiet old world if the birds disappear…
ANYWAY….. sounds as if you have some fun choices to make with conservatory possibilities and raised flower beds and so on! xxxx
It is awful to think of how many species are suffering at our hands, and as you say, so worrying to think how many may become extinct…..I can’t imagine a world without birds!
The first of my raised beds have arrived and it’s HUGE!Where on earth am I going to put them all???? Thanks Rosie.xxx
It is so hard for us humans to adapt the this weird weather let alone our wonderful creatures, flowers, trees etc.
Somehow nature does seem to cope, not always as we may hope or plan but it does have a way of evolving over the many years.
We can each do our best to help of course, even in a small way ..
Conservatories are excellent a bit of indoor space outside, so to speak… I love the way they can become part of the garden!
Enjoy the new week ahead.
All the best Jan
I agree Jan, humans are struggling too, always the poorest usually. I think we could make a huge difference if individuals pulled together and lived in more eco friendly ways. Even small changes help.
I am now thinking of enclosing the courtyard….winter eh….certainly gets the ideas flowing. xxx
Lovely thoughtful post, Dina. I was told that one of the sheep at the City Farm had given birth to a lamb in September – now that’s weird! I’d hate to think that hedgehogs would be a thing of the past but I think Elaine is right, too much concrete nowadays. I hope the RHS is successful in it’s campaign to green up Britain’s towns, it can only be good for wildlife. Well done for increasing your veg growing space – bear in mind thought that most veg, being annuals, like a good bit of light and sun too when it’s available. Caro x
Thanks Caro. Good grief…a LAMB??? And now the weather is due to turn!!!
There is certainly too much concrete around around, along with over-tidy gardens that can’t sustain wildlife. Hedgehogs have so many things going against them, I do hope they manage to survive.
It would be wonderful to have towns and cities actively creating green spaces, all sorts of wildlife would benefit.
I am really struggling trying to find the perfect spots for my raised beds…one has already arrived and it’s huge! xxx
It is all a bit scary and worrying but if you think about it there has always been climate change over the millennia and animals have adapted or died out to be replaced by something else – it is just the way of things. If anything drastic needs to happen to change this then it is up to us humans to make it happen one way or another.
More veg beds sounds a great idea especially if they are raised higher although you would need a hell of a lot of soil to fill the .
I remember all your previous posts saying how busy the wildlife centre has been over the year but is thanks to people like you who are at least doing something to help the birds and animals survive.
A conservatory sounds like a great idea but you would have to lose a big chunk of garden wouldn’t you. We don’t have one as we don’t have the room but if we did I would love one like in the film ‘Green Card’ with Andi McDowell really ornate with a fountain and exotic plants.
I think individuals will have to make changes to their lifestyle, apart from climate change, we are such a greedy, wasteful species…..sighs…
I now have my first raised bed and it’s HUGE! Where are they are all going to go? I’ll need to get a tape measure out! It will be good to have the extra growing space though, I’m looking forward to that.
Linda has given me an idea for the courtyard now, so I may look at enclosing that a little…choices, choices eh? Thanks Elaine.xxx
The wild creatures cannot know what’s going on with the ever-changing temperatures. Today we had the first sprinkling of snow and ice here in the higher areas of south Yorkshire. It’s been good because, despite the cold, we’ve had sunshine. However, I’m sure we shall be back to rain and perhaps temperatures that are degrees higher tomorrow. A conservatory sounds good! We’ve been pleased to have the completely covered yard. It acts as a conservatory and is useful for growing tomatoes, peppers etc. as well as keeping the side of the house sheltered and, therefore, warmer than without this structure. I hope you’re having a good weekend.
I think this is the warmest November we’ve had in eons! Now of course the cold has forged in and I’m traumatised…..I hate cold weather. Herbie hog went into hibernation as soon as the cold spell arrived, I suspect all the other hogs did too. Wildlife is certainly confused, we can see that by what arrives at the rescue!
I do like the sound of your covered yard, you have given me an idea now for the courtyard instead of having a conservatory…..thanks Linda.xxx
There is evidence of aeons of climate change all around us. When I go to the hill country, I pick up fossils from limestone that was seabed milleniua ago. When I go to the coast, I drive across land that once was a Spanish shipyard — centuries ago. We live on a vibrant, changing planet. While I don’t question there are changes about, I also believe there are human beings who nurture fear in order to cement their own power. We are not God, nor even gods, for all that, and some changes in our world are beyond our control. Knowing what we can control, and what we can’t, is key. Unfortunately, there’s so much overblown rhetoric everywhere that it can be hard to sort out!
Those pigeons crack me up. That’s what things were looking like on my balcony — and that’s why I had to stop with the feeding for a time. It was getting a little too Alfred Hitchcock-ish.
I totally agree re us living on an ever-changing planet, and there are often violent events that forever alter landscapes and the lives of all that live there, and yes, many voices are raised with suspect motives…..but I also know that the weather is altered worldwide and the changes are dramatic and swift and have far reaching consequences for all living things. I was reading the latest figures re animals, plants etc….barely a one isn’t in decline, and the endangered list grows daily. It does worry me.
Hahahaha….I TOTALLY get why you had to stop feeding! Thanks Linda.xxx
posted the wrong web addy. sorry
Oh a conservatory! I’d love to have that – or a greenhouse I could sit in and read (the same thing I guess). Maybe one day.
Poor little hedgehogs – I hope their numbers don’t get any smaller! That’s scary.
Weird weather patterns seem to be the norm these past years. But like some of the others, I’m counting on evolution and survival. Not destruction and extinction.
Anyway – nice post – I found you by way of Cheryl and wondered if snowbird meant the kind we have here in Canada – where people go south for the winter (mostly retired people).
Hugs
My my, you do have a lot to consider! New garden spaces to plan and plant, new paths for the dogs ;-), new options with new environments, too! Exciting times. My friends who own the gardening business are too busy to take time out to drive down (6 hours!) and spend days on my garden (design, remove, plant, irrigation systems) but they did get a little tour and now it’s simmering on their back-burner.
Blessings on you and the Rescue crew who work tirelessly to heal and nurture and restore and bathe (!) and release those creatures.
It’s always good to have a lull and plan for next year, winter is certainly good for that! I have my first raised bed and it’s huge….where on earth will they all go???
I’m glad to hear your friends are plotting on your behalf, I look forward to hearing all about it. Every now and then you do have to look at the garden through fresh eyes
.Lol….bathing hogs aint for the fainthearted, it’s a real challenge trying to dry them!!! Thanks Anne.xxx
Its definitely been a weird year, but I agree we keep saying this. So actually maybe this is normal! Its been such a mild autumn but its made up for the very slow and cold start to the year. A conservatory sounds a lovely idea, so nice to be able to sit in the warmth inside in winter but still feel like you are in the garden!
Weird is certainly the norm now, no gardener has a clue what the weather is likely to be….
Conservatories certainly have that appeal! Thanks Annie. I hope all is well with you.xxx
I always fancied a conservatory which straddled a pond so that the fish could come inside during winter.
Do you think the lack of garden space and over use of concrete paving slabs has caused problems for the hedgehogs. It seems that most new houses now are built with hardly any garden at all. At one time we could look out of our window at night and see hedgehogs running backwards and forwards across the lawn but we don’t see many nowadays.
A conservatory straddling a pond does sound good! I have no doubt that a lack of gardens, over-tidy gardens, and paved and decked gardens have contributed to the demise of the hedgehog. The lack of hedgerow, increased cars and climate change are also major factors. In the end, I think it will be up to individuals to halt the decline by making their gardens and green community areas more hog friendly.
I now take hogs into schools and do hog awareness talks, as most children only see them dead on roads now. Thanks Sue.xxx
Climate change worries me as well. It frustrates me no end that so many people in positions of authority are still actively obstructing work on a solution – at least in this country. As for a conservatory – brilliant idea! I’m sure you’ll find a place for it.
It certainly is frustrating isn’t it? I have noticed a gradual acknowledgement from governments and business, but most are only paying lip service to the main issues. Without a doubt more can be done, especially by individuals. Thanks Jason.xxx
When survival/adaptability of species comes under scrutiny my thoughts immediately turn to Darwin. There is more than hope, there is the story of evolution and it continuing.
We were glad to have the milder pleasant weather from August this year, we felt we deserved something better than we got up till then. Now, we are back to wet, wet, wet, frosts and short days. As you say, the forecasts are for snow on high ground at the weekend.
Very seasonal pictures of many varieties, some unusual ones, which makes them extremely enjoyable. xxx
Evolution is still occurring for sure, but generally happens over thousands of years, my concern is the drastic changes in weather interfering with that process…..worldwide now weather is extreme and violent. People are struggling to adapt too, I do wonder how all this will pan out over the next twenty years.
You certainly deserve a break weather wise, everything grim seems to come your way! I hope the snow has held off!!! Thanks Menhir.xxx
An excellent post Dina….yes the weather is out of kilter, and so are we…..interestingly my own blog today touched on this. I find it incredible that there are so many that still question whether or not climate change is real, and what’s much more incredible is the utter greed of the corporate world….who give us ‘climate change’ lip service, but actually do very little to help the situation….just the reverse.
I have no idea where it’s all going, but I do know this we cannot go on this way indefinitely….
I think the veggie growers in the courtyard is an excellent idea….nothing like going out and watering or collecting veggies in pjs….:)
Also The rugby scrum on your roof – looks a little like a grand sculpture…maybe you can entice the birds to stay like that…..A blast of Arctic air is to hit us this weekend, which is going to be a terrible shock for all the animals and plants…..all I can say is…keep up all the good work…and maybe a conservatory on the roof???? It’s a thought. Janet. xxxxxxx
I don’t understand how anyone can deny climate change any more, and while the debate re the causes rages, we simply all must do our bit and try to live in greener, less wasteful ways.
I am shocked on a daily basis to see how much waste we humans create….we certainly live in a disposable society and that too has to change.
A conservatory on the roof!!! Now that IS food for thought!!! We have freezing weather now, Herbie hog instantly went into hibernation! Thanks Janet.xxx
I see you are deep into it (about climate change and taking records).
Personally I don’t let go hope… until we have around people like you, I feel somehow safer. But I’m concerned about the idiots with no brain (and the idiot’s mother is always pregnant)… we say so in italian 😉 Few days ago went to feed the pigeons beside the lake, it seams they are quite courageous after few minutes I had them on my arms and shoulders… But they are such lovely creatures! Have a quite night, hugs :-)c
Thanks Claudine, I know you are doing all you can and more, and that daily people are changing how they live and becoming more aware of their carbon footprint. Much more has to be done though!
I can just imagine you covered in pigeons! How I wish I could see a picture.xxx
Whatever is coming to our world, I’m glad we’re here to love it and see it through together, Dina, and there are soooo many others like us, who believe more in nurturing and loving than destroying through violence and ignorance. Take heart, dear girl, and carry on…I’m beside you. 🙂
Excited about all the garden possibilities to come! A conservatory would be heaven, and your raised beds sound wonderful!
Our gardens were finally cleaned last weekend. It’s been so warm and mild that things were still blooming, as with your side of the ocean. But I’m glad we got it completed, as it’s turned out to be just in time for quite a bit of snow forecast for Friday night (although it will melt soon, with warmth and rain returning next week).
My front garden, wrecked in the tornado, is awaiting spring replanting, and I have to say, with the weather weirdness, I’m trying to be very careful about what I choose to grow…drought, temperature shifts: gad! Challenging, but good to plan for the birds, bees and butterflies still gracing the holy ground around me. 🙂
Joy to your week’s end, dear one!
Ahhh, thanks Kitty. Yes, there are plenty of us out there doing our best to walk lightly and care for our native species, and planet.
My first raised bed has arrived and I’m thrilled with it. I just have to figure out where they will all go. It’s great to think of all the possibilities for next year…..at least that’s one good thing about winter.
I know what you mean re possible plantings for next year, it’s impossible to predict what weather will be thrown at the garden! I’m glad you cleared yours though, that tornado was horrific!!! Thanks Kitty.xxx
I have seen far too many changes in my lifetime……….the seasons seem to blend into each other now. I worry about climate change…………..the wildlife, the environment but mostly the young people that will have to deal with the consequences.
I have barely seen any butterflies this year…………..most hedgehogs I have seen have been road kill sadly 🙁
I have a conservatory………….not something I am overly keen on but my husband spends a lot of time there reading, and absolutely loves it.
Veggie plot sounds good…………
The changes are coming swiftly now aren’t they, and yes, the seasons do all seem very similar. Wildlife must be utterly baffled. I’ve noticed a shocking decline in butterflies and bees, despite planting for them, at least the bumbles are doing well here. Thanks Cheryl.xxx
Ducklings in November?! Wow; things are definitely out of kilter. I didn’t realize that things were quite so dire for hedgehogs either; that’s so sad. However, when there are people like you in the world, there’s always hope. I’d love a conservatory too but the only place it could really go is north facing, so I’m not sure how nice that would be. Raised beds sound like a great idea too. Have a great weekend. xx
It was a shock seeing a duckling at this time of the year! Happily it’s come along well. The stats re hogs are awful aren’t they? Hopefully we will all rally round and make our gardens more wildlife friendly,
I have a similar problem in terms of where to put a conservatory, ours would have to go north too…. thanks for your lovely comment.xxx
An Interesting post along with good pictures.
I agree that the climate has become noticeably more unsettled and extreme.
It’ll be sad if hedgehogs do disappear all together. I had visions that you blow-dried this one dry.
It sounds like you’ll be having fun growing vegetables next year. xx
Thanks Flighty. I can’t imagine the UK without their prickly friends, it will be a sad day if they do become yet another extinction. We dry the hogs with towels which isn’t straightforward….at all!
I shall certainly have a lot more space for growing veggies….I’m really looking forward to it.xxx
We have had a really mild fall here too. On the weekend the temperatures are to drop and we also have snow flurries forecast. I regard the warm fall as a treat after the harsh winter and late spring we had, but there is a certain uneasiness in this “treat”. It’s like eating too much sugar. You know it is bad for you. Global warming is frightening pure and simple.
From past posts I know that hedgehogs are in jeopardy, but the statistics that you quote are staggering. Looking forward to seeing the new raised beds.
So many countries seem to have had a mild autumn only to be suddenly hit with harsher weather than usual, whatever usual is these days….Our mild spell has come to an abrupt end now with temperatures plummeting. I agree about the feeling of uneasiness
Yes, those hog stats certainly are depressing. Thanks Jennifer.xxx
Awww, why are the little guinea pigs in the rescue? They’re such adorable creatures, we had two when the kids were younger and they make such fabulous pets. The seasons definitely are out of kilter, it doesn’t seem strange any more when we see spring bulbs flowering in autumn or roses hanging on in to winter. The poor wildlife can’t know whether they’re coming or going.
A hoarder recently brought in lots of baby and adult guinea pigs. None of them had been neutered and most of them had ringworm. They are all sorted now and several have already been re-homed. Guinea pigs are sweet little creatures, I had one when I was a child too. Yes, weird is certainly the new norm! Thanks Jo.xxx
Superb post, D! Beautifully, pointedly, lucidly and marvelously illustrated. A tribute to all those who seek to Conserve what we have….
Love that final flurry……Forgive the pun! Hugs! xxxx
Thanks Bushka. Ah yes….flurry…great word for the scrum!xxx