It seems hard to believe now but over Christmas and the new year we enjoyed a period of unseasonally mild, if wet weather.

Fooled into believing that spring had arrived early, some creatures began to stir from their winter quarters.

At the London Wetland Centre, hibernating bats which can sometimes wake and fly out briefly from their roosts to snatch winter gnats emerging from the water, appeared in unusually large numbers. In fact, there were thirty six records involving three species among which was a nationally rare Nathusius pipistrelle.

Also on the move were slow-worms (pictured), a lizard, a frog and some late, or early fungi.

Elsewhere, snowdrops flowered profusely and in my garden a species of daffodil that should bloom in February suddenly put on a spurt and buds are now ready to open.

During those mild days my garden robins indulged in a spot of courtship. I watched in amusement as the male,presumably; sexes are identical; perched on the fence, to confront a prospective mate. Standing very tall, almost on tip-toe so to speak, and with tail erect and head pointing skywards, he swayed sinuously from side to side, beak agape muttering sweet nothings. I've no idea if the female was impressed!

But now winter has returned with a vengeance and wildlife has retired to snore away the rest of January. Only foxes enjoy snowy, frosty nights and their "wow-wow-wow" calls echo around in the darkness.

However, real spring remains a distant dream.