UK Woodland Seasons (Chapter 5 - Winter)

Days are short and the air is cold. Under a blanket of snow life goes on unnoticed.

Green plants are pushing their way up through the soil just waiting for the snow to melt.

Above ground the branches of the trees are bare and what light there is finds its way to the woodland floor unimpeded.

When the snow is gone we find a sea of golden-brown leaves and very little obvious greenery.

However, by the end of January there is a significant number of identifiable green leaves appearing and the Snowdrops are beginning to come to life, some even in flower already.

A quick look at the tree buds at the end of January shows a few beginning to swell, such as Beech and Sycamore. Hazel catkins are a little under-developed but ready to turn yellow at any minute.

On our calcareous soil the seed heads of Traveler's Joy coat the outsides of some trees and bushes in white wool. This contrasts with the dark green of the Holly trees.



If green leaves are in short supply then the green of countless colonies of moss becomes much more noticeable.








Several fallen trees give a rare opportunity to glimpse into the top of a canopy and here we find a surprising amount of colour, with colonies of lichens.
















The amount of water falling as rain or snow has allowed the logs on the ground to get a good soaking. This will greatly accelerate the rotting process.


Mammals have been busy too and everywhere there are signs of recent activity, like this Rabbit latrine.