Spring is here (?!)

The bird scene at Titlington Mount is pathetic at the moment, but today out on the moor came what I always regard as the very first early sign of spring - the Hare's-tail Cotton Grass (Eriophorum vaginatum) is just starting to show the first young, grey flowering heads above the tussocks in some patches.

My photo was taken last year at a slightly later stage of development - probably April - so you have to imagine the flower spikes short, smaller and much greyer.

Meanwhile the Snowdrops are developing well in Bolton village and up Titlington Lane.