I was met with a piercing, stammering call from a Wren as my boots crunched on gravel. Dropping, rising, and finishing in a frenzy, what a wonderful call to begin the day with. I felt as if I had walked into the rainforest of Borneo this morning. Rain hammering down, bird song, surprisingly, shooting out from all directions; Robins, Blackbirds, Wood Pigeons and more.
The changing of the seasons, despite a day that feels like we have regressed into deepest darkest winter, is more apparent day by day. Horse Chestnut buds plump and sticky, some already bursting open with tiny leaves ready to spread. Hawthorn already looking so green, the thought of its bright white blossom soon to come a welcome lift on a dreary day. New Spindle leaves sprouting forth, vividly lime, punctuated with gorgeous berries of pink and orange.
Lesser Celandine light up the floor, easy to miss tucked away underfoot in the glade. Further along Daffodils stand proud, brilliant yellow gleaming against the woodland floor. On a fallen branch a vast spread of rubbery crust fungus, possibly Jelly Rot fungus, the part of reminded me of a newt’s tail (main picture – please correct me if my ID is wrong).
Primroses scattered on a bank walking towards Long Meadow. A young Pedunculate Oak clings to a few of last years leaves but not sign of fresh leaves coming through just yet. Clearing work along the path has opened up younger trees to more light; Ash, Field Maple, and Sycamore with arms all raised high to the sky.
A last little stretch through Castle Wood where everything felt quiet. Sheltered from wind and rain but nothing stirred. Gloomy light under towering Holm Oak, and rough leaved Bay, some small branches having come down away from the path from the wind overnight. Back out in the light I slipped and slid back to shelter, shaking of the rain and cold.