On 2014-01-17 13:36:23 +0000, kay said:

'Pam Moore[_2_ Wrote:
;997559']On Thu, 16 Jan 2014 16:42:56 +0000, Sacha

wrote:
-
The early primroses are out in their usual spot a couple of miles from
here. I don't know when they emerged this year, as I haven't been that

way for a few weeks but last year they were out on 5th January. And I
noticed magpies are definitely pairing up, unless of course, they're
like that all the time in or out of the breeding season! Even the
rooks seemed to be doing their jostling for space and cawing loudly
stuff two days ago and the tawny owl was making a real racket last
night.-

I have one small clump of primroses and noticed a bud half open
yesterday. I've not been near it today as it never stopped raining!



More remarkable is that the hazel catkins are already open. The male
ones, that is - the female flowers aren't so much in evidence.

Yes, I've seen a few of those about, too. What will happen about
pollenation, I wonder,or is it windborne in their case?
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon