Silkiness

Back to the early starts now that half-term is over, but this morning it was extraordinarily mild, there was a definite dawn chorus and the frogs have started returning to the ponds. After dropping everyone in their allotted places, I went for a walk along the river, keen to soak up some of the sunshine before it disappeared.

In the river valley there were signs of spring everywhere. The birds mostly seem to have paired up, including a very noisy couple of kingfishers and a pair of long-tailed tits that were gathering moss for their nests. In sheltered corners it was really very warm, and I saw three butterflies - two commas (see extra) and a peacock. 

The native willows aren't quite yet out, but the catkins of the violet willow are emerging. I think these are perhaps the most beautiful catkins of all, gently shaded in pink and lime-green silkiness before the golden anthers emerge. This species is widely planted in the UK, mostly as an amenity tree, but is a native of central and northern Europe, being most frequent in the mountainous regions of the Alps, Pyrenees and Carpathians. Although it has its strongholds, it is rare and declining in some countries, including Spain and Germany. I'm so glad I don't have to go far to appreciate its spring beauty.