Snowdrops, Galanthus nivale Snowdrops and aconites are splendid in Sizergh gardens. Along our way are mossy banks and snowdrops with delicate green markings within the bell-shaped flower. Snowdrops cluster beneath the trees in the orchard where fieldfare ate windfalls in mid-December. A mossy stone wall has niche and crevice, as if inhabited by mice and vole, a thoroughfare for stoat. Here were dragonflies in summer.
Willow catkins gleam in the morning sun and Sizergh gardens are fragrant with early spring flowers. A strong perfume of Sarcoccoca confusa is unmistakeable and delicious. There are tiny cyclamen, crocus and hellebore. A sole bee seeks nectar from the snowdrops.
At Park End Moss geese flew in chevrons over the water, calling to each other as their formation formed and reformed. An egret and a shag showed, with widgeon, teal and moorhen. Tomorrow is St Valentine's Day and it marks the season when birds are in courtship pairs and in breeding plumage, their best finery. A pair of mallard gave a display of courtship behaviour, rising in the water and the male then swimming around his female.
19th February and skylark are returned to Scout Scar for the breeding season. Their calls are sotto voce at first, and tentative, as they settle in. Soon, each male will begin to establish a territory and to seek a mate. Then their wonderful display song will be heard.
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