Wild daffodils in Park End Wood
The first snowdrops herald the coming of spring. Or perhaps the first wild daffodils, looking fresh and lovely in Brigsteer Wood on the last day of February. We're on the cusp of spring when each day brings something new.
The path through the wood is muddy from rain and from tree-felling that traditionally takes place in February, before birds begin to nest, before trees are leafing. Coppicing opens up glades to attract new flowers, butterflies and pollinators. Sunlght pours down through the canopy onto the woodland floor. Responding to light and the longer days, the herb-layer burgeons with new life. Mosses are bright green, bluebell leaves appear with dog's mercury, cuckoo pint and primroses. Hazel catkins have flowered and fall onto mossy logs where scarlet elf cup fruit.
Today is the first day of spring, according to meteorologists, Ist March. Astronomical spring is 20th March, the Vernal equinox. But there's no specific date when spring comes, the transition is gradual. Spring comes as it will, as the weather and climate change determine.
The hazel catkins that flowered recently were fully formed late last summer and overwintered as tight catkins until warmth and the lengthening photoperiod triggered a flowering. Seedlings appear in the leaf litter, amongst fresh mosses, and the first wild daffodils their petals crinkly. Most are still in bud, petals protected with papery spathes. This burgeoning of the herb-layer is so striking because trees and shrubs still have a wintry look about them. From the songs of woodland birds to the reed-bed habitat and the open pools at Park End Moss.
I have noted the first snowdrops, daffodils and scarlet elf cups across the Sizergh estate this millennium, and changes to habitat creation and management.
I love composer Max Richter's Reimagining of Vivaldi's Four Seasons and the inspiration of Nature. But to put a date of the coming of spring is counter to the experience. If you hope to find the specialities of a location you have to be dedicated to discovery, prepared to come and come again, prepared for surprises.
The path through the wood is muddy from rain and from tree-felling that traditionally takes place in February, before birds begin to nest, before trees are leafing. Coppicing opens up glades to attract new flowers, butterflies and pollinators. Sunlght pours down through the canopy onto the woodland floor. Responding to light and the longer days, the herb-layer burgeons with new life. Mosses are bright green, bluebell leaves appear with dog's mercury, cuckoo pint and primroses. Hazel catkins have flowered and fall onto mossy logs where scarlet elf cup fruit.
Today is the first day of spring, according to meteorologists, Ist March. Astronomical spring is 20th March, the Vernal equinox. But there's no specific date when spring comes, the transition is gradual. Spring comes as it will, as the weather and climate change determine.
The hazel catkins that flowered recently were fully formed late last summer and overwintered as tight catkins until warmth and the lengthening photoperiod triggered a flowering. Seedlings appear in the leaf litter, amongst fresh mosses, and the first wild daffodils their petals crinkly. Most are still in bud, petals protected with papery spathes. This burgeoning of the herb-layer is so striking because trees and shrubs still have a wintry look about them. From the songs of woodland birds to the reed-bed habitat and the open pools at Park End Moss.
I have noted the first snowdrops, daffodils and scarlet elf cups across the Sizergh estate this millennium, and changes to habitat creation and management.
I love composer Max Richter's Reimagining of Vivaldi's Four Seasons and the inspiration of Nature. But to put a date of the coming of spring is counter to the experience. If you hope to find the specialities of a location you have to be dedicated to discovery, prepared to come and come again, prepared for surprises.
February 28th is a still day, the surface of the wetland pool mirrors birds out on the islets. Through the silence wigeon are whistling. Two little grebe call to each other across the water in high-pitched trills. Is this a male calling ' I'm here, where are you'. Or is he telling another male 'I'm here, clear off.' Somewhere in the reed-beds there's the piglet squeal of a water rail. Pink-footed geese arrive with clamour and splash-down but it's calls from birds unseen in the reed-beds that are so evocative.
Out on an islet there are several snipe, their long bills showing against the water. They're tiny compared to teal, the smallest duck. And dwarfed by two egret and a cormorant. They seem unperturbed by the arrival of these larger birds, content to share a confined space. It's common to find snipe almost hidden amongst flocks of duck, although this behaviour may change with the advance of the breeding season. Some of these birds will migrate to upland breeding grounds where birds that over-winter on the coast in flocks, like golden plover and dunlin, will become solitary. Once they have nest sites and lay eggs there's a need for secrecy. And diet will change as insects breed with the coming of spring and birds need to boost nutrients as they have young to feed.
Out on an islet there are several snipe, their long bills showing against the water. They're tiny compared to teal, the smallest duck. And dwarfed by two egret and a cormorant. They seem unperturbed by the arrival of these larger birds, content to share a confined space. It's common to find snipe almost hidden amongst flocks of duck, although this behaviour may change with the advance of the breeding season. Some of these birds will migrate to upland breeding grounds where birds that over-winter on the coast in flocks, like golden plover and dunlin, will become solitary. Once they have nest sites and lay eggs there's a need for secrecy. And diet will change as insects breed with the coming of spring and birds need to boost nutrients as they have young to feed.
Little egret, egretta garzetta - a small heron. Adult little egret, early in the breeding season, show long delicate white feathers. The long, pointed bill is black. Legs are black and feet are a striking yellow. Their life-span is about five years. The dagger-like bill is black on the upper mandible whilst the lower is grey. In juveniles and non-breeding adult egrets the bill is duller and yellow-green.
Maturity and by season determine appearance. White plumes are specific to the breeding season, showing only on mature birds. Black bill and legs is a sign of maturity and one bird has signs of incipient plumes. Neither egret seems fully mature. I watch the bird hunting for fish and crustaceans, its feet stirring the mud, its bill poised to strike.
Maturity and by season determine appearance. White plumes are specific to the breeding season, showing only on mature birds. Black bill and legs is a sign of maturity and one bird has signs of incipient plumes. Neither egret seems fully mature. I watch the bird hunting for fish and crustaceans, its feet stirring the mud, its bill poised to strike.
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