Every year is not the same, thankfully and this year is fairly unusual. Of our commonest native trees I expect to see hawthorn (may) blossom first followed by rowan and then elder. There are others of course but these seem to make the most impact. On Blacka some rowan is already fully out but most is more like this:
And a crab is in flower now on Lenny Hill. This one could provide some visiting dogs with successful scavenging throughout autumn and winter.
A young whitebeam tree in a sea of lush bilberry shrubs. A heartening scene. But those conservationists with little imagination will disapprove of all this greenery. It does not fit with classic grouse moor habitat.
So what is the response to this unwelcome greening?
The sheep are either not aware of it or are shunning it. Not surprising as it looks distinctly unappetising. Anyway there are no sheep droppings withing 150 yards suggesting they've not been near the spring.
Large parts of the in-by land are usually pretty wet. But now reeds are brown rather than green, unheard of at this time of year.
