The Fox

On Winter evenings when the fox is heard crying in the distance a heavy fall of snow is forthcoming.

Hedgehog

The hedgehog seen, slowly and laboriously moving on paths or gardens in early Autumn, is a sign of a period of good sunny weather.

The Badger

In Autumn, when the badger is seen making his sett and leaves and branches are strewn at its opening, an early Winter is to be expected.

Animals

Our domestic animals, although not regarded by humans as being over burdened with brains, understand climatic conditions much better than we do.

The Dog

The dog eating grass is a sign of a change in the weather.

The Cat

The cat is very wise in forecasting the weather. If she sits with her back to the fire, cold weather with frost is imminent. If she sits at the fire washing her face with her paw, rain is approaching, but when seen washing behind and over her ears with her paw, floods are on the way.

If the cat is seen clawing at the legs of chairs or door posts, high winds are forthcoming, and, that is a sign that fishermen took very seriously.

The Horse

If the horse is perceived heading up the hill in late evening, good weather is not far off, but if he grazes near the farmhouse, and occasionally looks over the stile, bad weather can be expected.

Sheep

Sheep, which are often regarded as being downright stupid, realise changes in the atmosphere early on, and set out to prepare themselves for it. When in late Autumn, Winter or early Spring, they gather together and jump and play as if showing their prowess in athletics, snow is in the offing.

Again when they keep close together, or run in formation to a high ditch, a hedge, or old wallsteads, high winds are fast approaching.

In late Spring, sheep on lowlands head back to the hills and can make their way to the particular pastures they inhabited the previous Summer, their leaving the lowlands is an indication that the harsh Winter and Spring have ended and good weather is on the way.

If the shepherd forces them to go to the mountains in Spring against their wishes, they will invariably return to the lowlands as they realise that more harsh weather is forthcoming. Moreover, at the fall of the year, if the sheep on the hills head for their lowland pastures, harsh weather with storm, hail or snow can be expected in the near future.

Cows

Bovine animals are very sensitive to changes in weather also. If cows stay late at the top of the hill on Summer evenings instead of coming home for milking, that is regarded as a sign of good weather. When they are tied for milking and they keep shaking themselves, a storm is on the way.

Cows, standing at the farmyard gate in the morning is regarded as a sign of good weather, as they are in no hurry to begin grazing, knowing they have plenty of time to satisfy their hunger.

Cows shaking themselves before answering a call of nature is a good sign of the weather, but the direct opposite if they shake themselves after! Cows, horses or donkeys grazing while keeping their posterior towards a hedge or ditch, is a sign of an approaching storm.

Goats

Goats also prefer to stay out on the hills late rather than come home for milking if good weather is approaching. They also fight and frisk and frolic about if a storm is on the way. Mountain goats coming down to the lowlands also precedes a storm.

The Deer

The deer, also, if seen coming down to the lowlands in December, a long bad Winter is fast approaching.