Golden Tassels – Hazel Catkins
Alder Catkins
Alder Catkins
Birch Catkins
Willow Catkins
Golden Tassels – Hazel Catkins
I’ve seen hazel catkins out in January before (just!), but never seen willow or alder catkins at this time of year. Yet that is what is happening at the woods right now. The lack of a really harsh frost this winter has led to everything being extremely early. We have buds on our daffodils, bud burst on elder, and a load of catkins coming out, producing pollen and giving me hay-fever!
These photos were all taken last week. Hazel, birch, alder and willow catkins coming out. It really seems crazy. We have had frost, but not a hard frost, and no frost under the trees themselves. I hope we don’t get a hard and late frost to set everything back now they have started to come up.
Alvecote Wood 
Beautiful photographs! It’s been mild here at 54oN but tomorrow we’ve been promised some snow & minus temperatures. We do need a good cold spell but we don’t want America’s weather!