Beinn Tairt a' Mhill and the Giants' Graves

Well, this was a really interesting expedition. Ever curiously scouring the Islay maps I had seen noted in that ever-so-pretty old-fashioned writing 'Giants' Grave' south-east of Beinn Tairt a' Mhill. I did a bit of homework and set off with Jim, the Baptist minister, and my GPS. "Still going the right way?" Jim questioned with a hint of anxiety in his voice as we wandered through the thick Spruce forest here, pushing stray branches aside every so often. There is actually an old forestry path here so it wasn't as bad as it sounds! Still, without the GPS I'm not sure we would have found this site as it is rather hidden from view. It's quite an exciting place though. For more information, visit:

http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/search_item/index.php?service=RCAHMS&id=37335&refer=L3NlYXJjaC9pbmRleC5waHA%2FYWN0aW9uPWRvX3NlYXJjaCZwX3R5cGU9Y29vcmRpbmF0ZXMmcF9uYW1lPU5hdGlvbmFsK0dyaWQrTlIyMTA1NjQmcF9uZ3JfeD0xMjEwMDAmcF9uZ3JfeT02NTY0MDAmcF9leHRlbnR2YWx1ZT0yNTAmaWRbXT05MzA%3D

We saw Golden Eagle, heard and saw Curlews and Lapwings displaying, saw two spiralling Peacock Butterflies and a wonderful carpet of Lesser Celandine. Some Violets were also flowering. Another wonderful spring day!
Becky

Giants' Grave, Beinn Tairt a' Mhill

Giants' Grave, Beinn Tairt a' Mhill

Lesser Celandine - Ranunculus ficaria

Lesser Celandine

A lesser celandine starting to open.  This was pictured yesterday.  Soon there will be millions out all over Islay.  Another of the iconic signs of spring.  Today is the first of March, there is a gentle sun and it feels great...  Carl

Lesser Celandines at Lorgba (Ranunculus ficaria)

It's amazing what two days of sunshine produces...

The first Lesser celandine flower of the year at Lorgba.

Has anyone seen any Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)?

I am perhaps being a little impatient expecting Lesser celandines to be flowering by 12th March, but somehow I feel that they OUGHT to be cheering up our island by now.  This photo was actually taken in April 2003 near Bowmore...  Their leaves are just starting to show through in our very soggy garden.  I had hoped to have posted a few shots of daffodils by now too, but it seems we have hardly seen the sun since they swam into bloom a few days ago...

Gilbert White saw Celandines in flower in Selbourne during February - but he was living in Hampshire in 1800, which was before global warming had been invented.   Has anyone seen any on Islay so far this year?
Carl