Spring is a comin'

First blog of the New Year. First week of Spring. First black kite spotted today - back from Africa. The meadow is well advanced - a few weeks ahead of normal, which means many weeks ahead of last year when at this time all was covered in snow.

Dandelions.

Ground Ivy.

Slender speedwell.

Kidney Vetch.

Ribwort plantain

And the first grass - Sweet Vernal.

Yellow Rattle has really taken off - a combination of the seeds dropped by last years plants and those I spread last autumn has formed a dense carpet.

Honeybees, Bumblebees and Bee Flies are active on the early flowers. Four species of beetles seen scuttling through the meadow, and ant colonies out foraging. The crickets are sun bathing.

In the alpine garden the early saxifrages are in bloom.

The sap is rising!