Still it rains…

Woodland garden snowdrops

Snowdrops are almost at their best: the nodding florets hang heavily in thick white patches in our woodland garden. Their flowers provide a warm refuge for pollinating insects.

Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)

Cyclamen coum, so varied in their shades of white through claret, are spreading there too. Their little seeds dispersed by ants.

Cyclamen coum

We have reached peak winter aconite for the year. Their flowering clumps thrive and seed along the drive border. Nearly ninety clumps from a handful planted in 2014 in memory of our friend Sue. The edge of our drive gravel makes a perfect nursery for their seedlings.

Male and female smooth newt

Although the nor’easterly wind takes temperatures down to -2C, George’s pond slowly, slowly awakens. I disturb a pair of mallards on a torchlight wander. Male and female smooth newts in the overnight bottle trap. And a great diving beetle too.

Four species of moths to the light:

Chestnut, satellite, March moth and pale brindled beauty.

Ringed male blackbird

A short but wonderful session garden bird ringing. Blackbirds bulking in anticipation of their imminent migration back to Northern Europe.

A great opportunity to spend time with Rich recording a podcast in the ‘Wilder Nottinghamshire’ series for Notts Wildlife Trust..

Bearded bird ringer

No bumblebees yet.  What a surprise.