Snowdrops and aconites at Sizergh On a frosty February morning the trees are bare and sunlight pours down to the woodland floor where mosses grow bright and snowdrops appear. Snowdrops, Glanathus nivalis, the milk-white flower of the snow. Coming at Candlemass, 2nd February, they're known as Candlemass bells.
In early November autumn fruits were the seasonal highlight by the lake at Sizergh. An exotic rowan (Sorbus Vilmorinii) bore a mass of pink berries. Now light penetrates through winter trees and the herb layer responds with a flourish.
In early November autumn fruits were the seasonal highlight by the lake at Sizergh. An exotic rowan (Sorbus Vilmorinii) bore a mass of pink berries. Now light penetrates through winter trees and the herb layer responds with a flourish.
Whether snowdrops are native or introduced is something RIchard Mabey explores in Flora Britannica. Their name of Candlemass bells and Mary's tapers tells of an ancient association with the church and it's a flower often found in churchyards and monasteries. Snowdrops appearing as a wayside flower may indicate a site of cottage or habitation now lost. A harbinger of spring, it's good to feel that we share the joy of snowdrops with our fore-bearers. A lover of snowdrops is known as a Galanthophile, I'll sign up for that.
Snowdrops grow in the mountains of northern Italy, their leaf-tips pushing up through the snow. They're called buca neve, and snow-piercer is one of their English names.
Snowdrops grow in the mountains of northern Italy, their leaf-tips pushing up through the snow. They're called buca neve, and snow-piercer is one of their English names.
Perhaps the highlight of the morning is a goldcrest that flits amongst the dark green leaves of a rhodedendron beside a lake at Sizergh.
A flock of birds flies into the crown of a tree, probably winter thrush but they're silent, the tree is tall with a screen of twigs and the light is poor. There's a tell-tale glimpse of red on a bird's flank and a pale supercilium and a whitish line below the cheek confirm redwing. I know winter thrush, not only through field-craft and a long fascination with them but through a forensic search of my images and today I find only redwing. Even when a bird is merely silhouette there's jizz to go on- something about the stance, the poise and shape of the head that says redwing. Fieldfare is a heavier thrush with a long tail.
A flock of birds flies into the crown of a tree, probably winter thrush but they're silent, the tree is tall with a screen of twigs and the light is poor. There's a tell-tale glimpse of red on a bird's flank and a pale supercilium and a whitish line below the cheek confirm redwing. I know winter thrush, not only through field-craft and a long fascination with them but through a forensic search of my images and today I find only redwing. Even when a bird is merely silhouette there's jizz to go on- something about the stance, the poise and shape of the head that says redwing. Fieldfare is a heavier thrush with a long tail.
Park End Moss is peaceful and rewarding. A flock of greylag geese flies in with a clamour. A heron splashes down and wades into the cover of the reeds. There's a dab chick and teal. I hear widgeon whistling- they're hunkered down so it takes a while to make them out. I like the pattern and warm glow of reeds mirrored in the water. Birds are in breeding plumage and they swim in courtship pairs. Somewhere in the reed-bed a water rail squeals.
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