Despite the wintery weather, sings of Spring were present. Near the Cherry Plum a Blackthorn joined it showing its blossom too. Near the “Willow with the Woodpecker” hole Spindle appeared to have last year fruit cases still. At the top of the timeline a Grey Squirrel held, what I suspected to be, an acorn in its mouth. Upon my reaching the wooded coast path a pair of Carrion Crows dispersed whilst a Jay flew down into the undercliff. Buds were opening on a Willow and nearby from “Rest & Admire” I spotted a fishing vessel off Peverel ledges. The urban coast was disappearing into mist from the Solent.
Fresh leaves of Wild Madder furthered the plants ascent up the stems of young Elm whilst Herb Robert flowered at ground level. I noticed that a carpet of grass had developed at the base of a Black Pine. Said tree received light beside the Long Meadow boundary thanks to tree thinning. Fruits remained upon Box whilst upon a Laurel fresh pod showed oranges segments inside, whilst buds developed as well. The large, mature coppiced Beech’s stems display pointed cigar shaped buds at its branch tips. Both Bay and Hazel buds were evident with one of the latter waist high specimens putting out tiny fresh leaves. Larger Hazels about the Glade dangled catkins and retain a few large leaves.
Drilling on a dead branch overhanging the shed garden was a Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Blackbirds, Robins, Carrion Crows and Herring Gulls all contributed to the soundscape. A few Dog Violets were seen and the odd Celandine flowers, whilst buds indicated may more were to follow soon. Meanwhile, the Spring Crocus flowers resembles scattered shed feathers to me! Of course, the planted Snowdrops added welcome colour whilst there were a few clumps of pale Primroses underneath the trees. The Winterbourne trickled steadily meandering a passing beneath its bridges. White Comfrey flowers, although wet, we visited by a Bumble Bee whilst one adjacent knee high Mahonia retained its small fruits. On the undercliff side of the coast path footbridge, a carpet of Three-Cornered Leak leaf blades indicated future blossom to be enjoyed.
Clumps of Bamboo shimmied in the breeze whilst Montbreccia, above the undercliff also held on the seed pods. The new seat in place of the “Greenwood seat” had a covering on Woodpigeon “leavings” suggesting it will not be sat upon. Perhaps some branch pruning might help? Thanks to its distinctive round and scaly cones, I noticed a few Monterey Cyprus branches that had come of in the storms and had been cleared off the coast path. Only one wilted Winter Heliotrope flower stem remained near the Yews. On the cliff top I found an arm thick Sweet Chestnut that had developed its sticky buds. Another larger such tree would be seen beside Long Meadow along with Oaks, having five bud clusters and a few faded leaves. Overhead a few shrivelled Sloes hung amongst a cloak of branching lichen, whilst the occasional Rosehips remained in the hedgerow. As I have sat indoors writing this drizzle has developed, which I hope will clear for this afternoon’s school visit.