Awakenings

On the exposed hills native growth comes through more slowly but more surely. A few feet of altitude is enough to underline the difference; reliable old friends refuse to be rushed and are more respected for it.

A little shelter helps a lot. Slightly down the eastern slope birch in leaf is vibrant in morning sun but higher up the leaves are hardly showing at all.

All may change in a day or two. Oak will not join in the dash to Spring until well and truly persuaded.

Low down and sheltered is a young Oak fortunately spared the chain saw for now. It has begun to show red leaves, more brave than the older neighbour.

By this time last year I had heard the cuckoo, surprisingly perhaps in that this year, in other ways, things are more advanced. April 2016 was cold on Blacka with frosts and snow, cuckoo and all.