Hazel

It felt positively spring-like at Old Sulehay NR yesterday, although the vegetation is still very much in late-winter mode. The stock have made a very good job of grazing Stonepit Close, and there's been some significant scrub clearance, which will maintain the habitat mosaic which is a feature of this site.

Some early flowering species are now making an appearance, including the green flowers of Spurge-laurel in Stonepit Close and Stinking Hellebore at Ring Haw quarry, looking quite spectacular in the afternoon sun. 

Stinking Hellebore is a short-lived perennial herb of shallow calcareous soils, and is likely to be native at Ring Haw. It's a poor competitor, and intolerant of deep shade, so is usually found in small colonies in woodland glades or open scrub. It's widely grown in gardens and can often be found as a garden escape in local villages.

The catkins of Goat Willow are also breaking bud - not long before we see their cheerful yellow flowers, while the Hazel stools along the edge quarry were looking at their best.