Quarr Local Nature Reserve

The signs of early spring are all around helped by some warm sunny days. February saw a marked increase in the numbers of snowdrops, particularly under the hedge on the Upper Path, the first celandines, the glossy green leaves of the ivy-leaved toadflax growing out of the Cliff face, early comfrey shoots and, a real harbinger of spring, the furry grey buds of the pussy willow. Buds continue to break on a variety of trees and shrubs, a contrast to the brown dry leaves of the beech and hornbeam still hanging on from last year.

All the bird and bat boxes in the Woodland have been taken down, cleaned, repaired and fitted with metal plates to protect he entrance holes from damage from predators, and should now provide safe breeding places for small birds, mostly tits.

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