There are a couple of lesser known nature reserves, under the auspices of the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. One of these is Georges Hayes, not far from Longdon in South Staffordshire. This one is famous for the daffodils - real, traditional, Staffordshire daffodils. It became "protected" after clumps of these beautiful wildflowers were being sold in the Birmingham markets, after the Beaudesert Estate had been sold.
It is one of my favourite haunts. It is usually quiet and peaceful, with occasional visitors (some with lively dogs - I remember the lovely retriever who nearly knocked me over when I was up there on my sticks) but this morning, there was a Staffordshire Wildlife Trust vehicle parked in the small parking space. There is work being undertaken there.
Now I'm not a specialist on woodland maintenance and I don't really know the difference between careful pruning and wanton destruction. It was a mess - trees felled, bits everywhere, deep tyre tracks along the route (gentle daffodils fighting back in places). I hope they know what they are doing but there was rather too much evidence of man's interference this morning.
The daffodils were further on than I had expected. Bare trees everywhere (the ones that hadn't been felled or stripped) but the delicate yellow superstars were there in their glory. Give it a week and a bit of sunshine and it will be a delight.
I have blipped this delightful spot yearly in March and it may be of interest to look back and compare. My blip of March 19th 2014 was of Georges Hayes - and I note that a year ago, I blipped fully blooming magnolia from my garden. This year, the buds are resolutely refusing to play in these chilly winds.
I just love them.