Wood Notes Wild

First class performers out in the early hours including several warblers cuckoo, song thrush and blackbird and a rather too noisy chaffinch. Being in these woods is like satisfying a long thirst. The greening has been slow.

Now all is falling into place with most Beech, Birch, Rowan, Sycamore and Oak well dressed. The native oak gets going before the few exotic sort planted here some 40 years ago.

I've never quite warmed to these large leaved oaks.There is also some non standard Rowan that doesn't seem as well suited. Why they needed to go for novelty I don't know when the natives are plentiful and in my view better looking.

Whitebeam is welcome though, standing here before a Birch that is reluctant to spring to life.