More Signs of Spring

Spring is usually late to arrive in our corner of northeastern Scotland but it does seem early this year - and when it gets going everything happens at double speed as the season, and summer, are short. So we have pussy willow bursting out all over the place. This is, I think, goat willow rather than the very similar-looking grey willow.

Things may be happening fast because we are seeing good amounts of sunshine but the flip side of this is that we've had little rain. As a consequence, our pond is drying up, not good news for the three pond skaters which have appeared even though they're not supposed to be out until April. On a more serious note, Scottish Fire and Rescue are warning of the high risk of wildfires up on the very dry moors.

There are places along the verges of the farm track above our house where large numbers of foxgloves have established themselves. There seem to be some which have germinated from seed while others have overwintered, while....

....in the same sort of places marsh thistle is coming on quickly, forming beautifully symmetrical bouquets of purple-green leaves.

We seem to have plenty of robins this year, singing joyfully - or threateningly - from the best vantage points on the tops of the trees. This one was vying for territory with another male which was just across the other side of the track.

I don't know where this character has appeared from but he was in our front yard yesterday evening, the first pheasant we've seen up this end of the village. He may be rather smart - in appearance rather than intelligence - but he's noisy and eats far too much of our small birds' grain.