Pauline\u2019s report on 16 February of the area\u2019s first flowering colt\u2019s-foot of the year encouraged a visit to a good spot for this plant on my regular walks around the Nostell Priory estate.\u00a0 I saw the first flowers here much later at the start of this month. \u00a0However, recent wildflower sightings over the last few days have included primrose, dog\u2019s mercury and male yew trees that have been dusting passersby with clouds of pollen. \u00a0Interestingly, the female and male flowers on dog\u2019s mercury and yew trees grow on separate plants. \u00a0Another welcome flower of spring noticed on my walks at Nostell is the lesser celandine growing in woodland and damp places. It belongs to the buttercup family whereas the greater celandine is a member of the poppy family.\u00a0 It just shows common English names can be confusing.\u00a0 An image of the lesser celandine is attached. \u00a0Bird sightings have included the usual woodland suspects together with frequent calls of a green woodpecker.\u00a0 The lower lake gives opportunities to still get good views of the goosanders and grey herons, images of which are attached.<\/p>\n
![\"Goosander](\"http:\/\/wakefieldnaturalists.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/GOOSANDER01.jpg\")
<\/a>Goosander (female) at Nostell<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"Grey](\"http:\/\/wakefieldnaturalists.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/GREYHERON01.jpg\")
<\/a>Grey Heron<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"Lesser](\"http:\/\/wakefieldnaturalists.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/LESSCELAN01.jpg\")
<\/a>Lesser celandine<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pauline\u2019s report on 16 February of the area\u2019s first flowering colt\u2019s-foot of the year encouraged a visit to a good spot for this plant on my regular walks around the Nostell Priory estate.\u00a0 I saw the first flowers here much … Continue reading