A late afternoon walk in the watery winter sun on Longrun has got me thinking that spring is not so far away.
Female Hazel Flowers
The hazel catkins were swaying in the breeze and I found the tiny gem-like red female flowers further up the twigs.
Willow Catkins
On reaching the willow cathedral I was amazed to see pearls of light grey flowers opening along the willow branches.
However the birds won the day. I heard the green woodpecker’s laugh and then as I approached the pond saw it fly off with a dipping flight towards the mature trees along the river. Almost simultaneously I heard the great spotted woodpecker* which was drilling in a rotten alder tree.
Goldfinch at the top of a Hedge
Along the hedges were a multitude of our resident birds – goldfinch, greenfinch, chaffinch, robin and most beautiful singer of all the song thrush sitting high in an oak tree.
Singing Robin
Yes, Longrun Meadow is a great place to walk.
-Helen
[* Helen did tell me I might struggle with the pictures – the woodpeckers are tricky to photograph. My excuse is that today the alders by the river were occupied:
– Hester.]
