Early spring in the Willows, Kirkwall
There are no Willows in the Willows. There are however plenty of Sycamores, a few Wych Elms, a Swedish Whitebeam and a handful of newly planted Hollies. It's a fine example of a Tame Woodland and planted among the trees are pockets of Snowdrops, Crocuses, Bluebells and Daffodils - it's the time of the Snowdrops and Crocuses now. Along the burn you can find Lesser Celandines, the first ones are just bursting into flower this settled week. By May, Pink Purslane dominates the woodland floor to the extent that the leaves appear to choke everything else. Not so long ago there was a little patch of Ground Ivy which I have been unable to locate this year. Later in the year you can find Yellow Flag, Monkey-flowers and Water-cress along the burn edge. I was quite taken aback to find a honey bee exploring and gathering from the Snowdrop flowers - remind him we are still in February.
middle right - a honey bee hard at work - 25th Feb 2013
