snowdrops at Loynton Moss

I have been waiting for some sunshine to visit Loynton Moss again but the days the sun has shone I have been busy and as our last visit was over a month ago and the snowdrops had already started flowering, I just couldn't leave it any longer!

A grey winters morning at Doxey Marshes

Today we visited  Staffordshire Wildlife Trust reserve - Doxey Marshes 

snowdrop time

They are out!!!! Another couple of weeks or so and they will look fabulous, but wonderful to see them today at Loynton Moss.
We had a raven chasing off a buzzard overhead and a patchwork of snowdrops beneath our feet, It was lovely to be able to walk amongst them without trampling on any, in a few weeks if I return then, I will be admiring them from the edge of the mass instead as they will be carpeting the ground!

We then continued our walk along the spectacular Moss and through the woodland - lots of creaking noises with the trees swaying and branches rubbing against each other in the strong winds

scarlet elf cup 

Cowslips at Brown End Quarry

Cowslips are one of my favourite spring flowers from my childhood.

I was delighted to see so many at  Staffordshire Wildlife Trust's Brown End Quarry today - just a shame there wasn't much sunshine!

Jackson's Marsh and Coppice

A morning of Marsh Marigolds, bluebells and birdsong.
Our day started with a walk along the boardwalk around Jackson's Marsh, a Staffordshire Wildlife Trust reserve,  we were greeted by the call of a chiffchaff that teased us for a few minutes before hopping onto a different branch high up in the alders before flying off. the Marsh was full of birdsong, we spotted chiffchaff, nuthatch, goldcrest, coal tit, great tit, blue tit, robin, wren, dunnock, blackbird, jackdaws and buzzard.
Jackson's Marsh

We then went on to Jackson's Coppice, the bluebells are flowering another week and the woodland floor will be covered in bluebells.

 

wood anemone

wood anemone

 

wood anemone

Wood Sorrel 

photography by Angela Smith