Just got back from my local woods and spring has definitely sprung. The wild garlic has just decided to come out in bloom and is carpetting the banks with a massive show of white. The red campion is out along with wood anemones and dog violets. Yesterday evening the bats were out in force as yet unhindered by the swallows.
Meanwhile down on my beach the recent tides must have exposed a small coal seam as the strand line is a mixture of fine coal, peeler crabs and razor clams. The other day I found a couple of lumpsuckers washed up on the rocks, the terrier had a grand time licking these fellas. The kittiwakes have settled into their nests on the cliffs and the beautiful fulmars are sitting and waiting to gob their nasty fishy gook over anyone who gets to close.
Who says it's grim up north?