The greening

                 I had hoped to see the wood in snow this year but the white wintery stuff has sadly passed by so far,  leaving us with more rain and yet more. There have been a few frosts to harden up the ground but the mild conditions and regular precipitation has left Crow Wood saturated, with several areas of standing water and our small seasonal stream flowing well. On the plus side, however, the lengthening days and milder conditions are beginning to have an impact on both flora and fauna with birds starting to check out nest boxes and fresh green shoots appearing above the soil. Several classic woodland specialist plants including Bluebells and Wood Anemone, have evolved to capitalise on the light available at ground level weeks before the trees get their leaves and the canopy closes over. Last Autumn a friend brought over some Snowdrop plants from his own wood and we planted them at various locations in the hope that they would thrive; and they have, with the first shoots just showing now. A clump of Snowflakes (Leucojum vernum) is also speeding away - I found a big clump growing just outside our wood in a roadside ditch and "liberated" a few, probably illegally (how they got there in the first place is a mystery.) On another edge of our wood a small group of Early Purple Orchids are also showing themselves. They will not flower for quite a few weeks yet but all these early signs of a future spring are good to see and a sure sign that the "greening" is starting.

A Blue Tit staking an early claim

              Birds too are starting to think about Spring. It is probably too risky for them to start nesting yet as there is little invertebrate food available and still a chance of a cold snap but territories are being staked out and nest boxes being investigated, and laid claim to. One morning, I watched a Great Tit checking out a box and minutes later a Blue Tit nip in for a look as soon as the bigger bird had left. It will be interesting to see later which species prevailed. In the canopy above meanwhile three Great Spotted Woodpeckers were chasing about noisily - it looked like two males squabbling over a female - the lengthening days kick-starting the hormonal changes that will stimulate courtship and nesting behaviours. And deer "slots" in the mud suggest that deer activity may also have increased probably in response to the availability of new shoots and leaves to browse. The wood does have both Roe and Fallow deer present but thankfully not too many to cause us a problem but they can be a pest and if they eat those Snowdrops there really will be trouble........

signs that the Snowdrops are on the move

Snowflake pushing through, each stem will eventually carry a small white flower

Early Purple Orchid with its spectacular leaves

Hazel Catkins, always good to see

                                 

 Deer slots in the mud on a regularly used pathway, not always a welcome sign

Honeysuckle - new leaves opening- the greening begins