Kendal Castle and mist over the river After overnight rain the birch glistens as the early sun shimmers through rain drops. The morning is still and bright. Sunlit mist highlights the course of the River Kent. We reckon there will be a temperature inversion over the Lyth Valley so we drive to Helsington Church in time to see Whitbarrow rising above the mist. South toward Morecambe Bay, a pall of sunlit mist. How beautiful it is, and transient. In the time it takes to put on our walking boots the white density of the mist is pierced by sunlight.
Can this be February? The day is so warm and humid. Unnaturally warm for the season. New records reached during this week. To Park End Moss and the bird hide where we look out over the reeds, over pools of the recently recreated wetland. We hear and see widgeon, teal and a couple of dabchick. Egrets in fine white plumage amongst islets of reeds. The reed beds to the north of the pools are silent. In Brigsteer Wood Rona finds a song thrush high in a tree. There are scarlet elf cups on fallen tree trunks, dead wood habitat left to decomposition. The same spot in which I've found scarlet elf cup at this season, for years. The wild daffodils are budding, bluebell leaves appear.
On Scout Scar, ravens patrol the escarpment. Green woodpecker and great spotted are calling. The first blackthorn flowers appear in a hue of deep cream. Not on the prostrate blackthorn up on the limestone clitter, but a shrub in a more sheltered spot where suckering blackthorn clusters about it. Stamens and anthers show forth, almost before the petals of the corolla are opened. It is humid and so warm but what pollinators will be on the wing on this late February day? Can synchronicity respond to a changing climate? This blackthorn is always the first to flower on Scout Scar and I have heard the buzz of pollinating insects busy about the flowers. But today is silent.
Next morning, skylark are singing over Scout Scar. Their return marks the coming of spring.
On Scout Scar, ravens patrol the escarpment. Green woodpecker and great spotted are calling. The first blackthorn flowers appear in a hue of deep cream. Not on the prostrate blackthorn up on the limestone clitter, but a shrub in a more sheltered spot where suckering blackthorn clusters about it. Stamens and anthers show forth, almost before the petals of the corolla are opened. It is humid and so warm but what pollinators will be on the wing on this late February day? Can synchronicity respond to a changing climate? This blackthorn is always the first to flower on Scout Scar and I have heard the buzz of pollinating insects busy about the flowers. But today is silent.
Next morning, skylark are singing over Scout Scar. Their return marks the coming of spring.
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