First orchid rosettes

The first four were recorded on 12th April which is 10 days later than the first rosettes last year. Last year was very odd with loads of orchids coming up early (76 by the 15th April vs 10 this year) but when we returned from holiday on the 8th May there was a steep drop off resulting in a big decrease from the previous year. It will be interesting to see the numbers for this year.

Spring flowers

The usual selection of Spring flowers are here. Definitely a good showing from Common Dog Violets but the best display this year are the Cuckoo Flowers. Whether this represents weather at the seed dispersal time last year or weather this year or indeed some other random factor I have no idea.

New fungus species - Stump Puffball

A common puffball which is saprobic on dead wood but I hadn't recorded it here before.

Great show of wild dadffodils

The place in Manor Wood that has the wild daffodils is looking particularly good this year. Still a few days before peak daffs but already very presentable.

Frogspawn

100% increase in frogspawn thia year as for the first time it is in two ponds. I spread the spawn around last year in the two viable ponds and in two sinks that hold water in the garden. I didn't see any tadpole development in the second tiny pond and assumed the palmate newts that live there ate it all but maybe one or two frogs devloped and came back to spawn. Success.

First fungus of the year - Goblet

I've recorded the Goblet (Pseudoclitocybe cyathiformis) here before but perhaps surprising to have it fruiting in February.

Deer in Winter

There's a definite increase in deer more or less resident here. I spotted three of them looking to me nonplussed by the snow. Theyt just stood there as if wondering what to do next.