Beech woods

A few rays of sun broke through during our grey walk through the dormant beech woods this morning.  Amazingly we heard Great Spotted Woodpeckers staring to drum out their territories.  We don't usually hear them until early February.  The Great Tits and Nuthatches were joining in the chorus.  Given that the temperature was just above freezing and the sun disappeared again quickly, I am surprised the birds are thinking of Spring already!