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The air is warming and sap is at last rising and previously tight buds are now opening up and verdant leaves are pushing forth. You can almost smell the chlorophyll... Dog Rose Hawthorn Hazel 304-13

Now, I know that at one time or another we have all got stung but Nettles or perhaps have had the misfortune to fall over in a huge patch when we were kids but they are a fabulous source of life throughout the year as well as having practical human uses such as making soup, wine and string. At the...

The Sallows and other Willows around the trails seem to all flower at slightly different times and it is possible to find different plants at different stages of growth. Each has its own charm and you can almost feel the sap pulsing through the stems as they gear up for another season. Pics...

With such a dire spring so far they are almost no blooms out on the reserve at the moment. Coltsfoots is flowering in one or two places (especially on the Aveley Pool central bund) and is a welcome splash of yellow but there is only a few timid flowers from the Self Heal around the woodland edges and...

Whilst out wandering the foreshore this morning I took the time to notice that there was a whole world under my feet. The old Victorian riverwall reminded me somewhat of the limestone clynts and grykes that I saw up on The Burren in Eire in February. There is a small channel between each of the huge...

With such generally mild (and wet weather) it is not overly surprising that a few weird and wonderful things are being seen. We had Common Darter dragonflies almost into December and Marsh Frogs were also seen as late as the 5th. Some flowers have been hanging on too but most bizarrely of all is the...

Some great frosty opportunities this morning with rather rectilinear ice crystals looking resplendent on the old Cardoon heads and Rosa rugosa hips so loved by the Greenfinches... 30-11-12

A walk round to open up yesterday morning not only allowed me to get close to four Bramblings, Stonechat, lots of geese and Goldfiches but a chance to see what flowers are still in bloom to support some of those late insects. Not a great deal of variety but still a few enticing yellows and blues. ...

Berries abound at this time of year but be aware that although the birds, animals and bugs may feast on them, some are distinctly on the inedible or outright poisonous side for us humans! Bramble Deadly Nightshade... there is a clue in the name! Hawthorn Elderberry Rosehip...

Not sure if these two plants are especially rare but I have always been told that they are locally uncommon. The first is Vervain with its tiny pearly white (with a hint of lilac) flowers and the other is the Wild Leek which lives inconspicuously in amongst all the grasses on the River wall. Vervain...

If you love your flowers you still have much to see out on the reserve at the moment. The rains have kept it verdant and colourful. Dark Mullein - favoured by Crab Spiders as a hiding place! Hawksbeard Prickly Lettuce Oxford Ragwort - beloved by Cinnabar moth cats. The delicate...

As promised here are some of my flowers from my walk yesterday evening... Enjoy! Bindweed Bramble Chicory Dog Rose Great Willowherb Common Knapweed Perforate St John's Wort Red Clover White Clover 6-7-12

Our Deadly Nightshade is now in bloom and the wonderful bell shaped flowers attract bees in particular to pollinate. Not quite sure why but this picture reminded me of Audrey II, the very hungry plant in the Little Shop of Horrors..... (DN by Jerry Hoare)

Our swathe of lilac Opium Poppies in the Wildlife Garden are only open so briefly before they quickly get pollinated, the petals drop and the seed ripens. Tony Houston timed it just right to capture them at their very best. 17-6-12

A brief interlude of sunshine this morning saw me outside taking some arty flower shots! Field Poppies Yellow Flag Thrift Unripe Strawberry Opium Poppy Scabious Foxglove Borage

Not a term of derision or a light hearted jibe at someone with wayward morning hair but me getting up close to some fresh seedheads of Coltsfoot along the bank by the Shooting Butts Hide. Almost the first to flower and now over for another year with just the newly emerging leaves to show that it was...

A surprisingly cold and frosty start to the day and with blue sky, sun and no wind I took the opportunity to take some more shots of budding leaves and flowers. Shame the weather did not hold today... it was nice till midday but then got cold and dull again. Greengage blossom Hazel bud ...

and for my third installment of plants coming into leaf and flower I give you.... Whitebeam Bramble Dogwood Dogwood Big sticky Horse Chestnut bud Old Man's Beard - our wild clematis Bugle

More blooms today with our first patch of Dog Violets and lots of Daisies around the car park. Found some more Cowslips along the river wall this morning and Red and White Dead Nettles are coming into flower now. Daisy Dog Violet

Took some shots lunchtime of budding leaves in the Wildlife Garden. It was also full of dancing flies, bees, several hoverflies and three Small White butterflies. Rowan Willow 29-3-12

Plenty of blooms out there is you look hard... Found these just by looking around the wildlife garden this morning... Cowslip mini Daffodils Daisy Lesser Celendine 25-3-12

There are still not many flowers around but the buds are bursting open and new green leaves are almost appearing before your eyes. I took these yesterday morning on a walk around the trails. Sloe buds and open blossom Hawthorn Dog Rose Dandelion Marsh Marigold ...

With glorious sunshine streaming down and clear blue windless skies it was not surprising to find the first Coltsfoot flowers peeping through the grass around the trail yesterday. Being one of the earliest species to bloom gives it a head start with the early bumblebees, several of which were also seen...