Winter, Spring, Summer ?  The weather is all a bit confused. Today its back to cold winds and driving rain but last week it was record temperatures and the first butterflies were about. The warmth has brought some of the woodland plants out with the first few Primroses in flower and Early Purple Orchids showing off their fabulous spotted leaves. There seems to be no doubt that we are in the middle of a climate warming period and that this is making our weather a lot more unpredictable, as scientists have told us. It is all very concerning particularly as there seems little international agreement about finding solutions.....maybe its too late........that is a dreadful thought.

Its hard to see the effects directly in our wood, as its not unusual to see Primroses or butterflies like Brimstones out in early March. We have certainly lost some species of birds, like Willow Warbler, but that may be because the habitat is no longer suitable, and the lack of prolonged frost cannot help plant and insect species that need a period of cold to help them germinate. 
the first Primroses of 2019



Early Purple Orchids showing themselves


the first green shoots

wind damage form recent storms




Whatever the long term effects this 2019 winter has been very variable with few days below freezing. This week the winds have caused quite a bit of damage. A dead pine that snapped in half a few weeks ago has now been blown right over and has taken with it another very tall pine, which is leaning on a tall larch - I might need some professional advice about getting this one down as it's a tricky job. But then again, a few more blustery days may resolve the whole issue for me, if the wind brings the whole lot down together.

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