Snowdrops

That's better!
Malcolm

Spring is coming!

Or at least the snowdrops are coming out!
Malcolm

Snowdrops

We are fortunate in having a very fine display of snowdrops in Bridgend Woods. They start in late January and usually last at least a month.
Malcolm

Snowdrops are coming

As the rain batters the windows here in Port Charlotte and the wind howls around our chimney pots it is heartening to see the bulbs starting to push their way into the New Year.  The snowdrops in our garden cannot be far from flowering...
Carl

Roe Deer and Snowdrops - James Deane

Lovely shot of a pair of Roe deer in a carpet of snowdrops taken by James Deane in Bridgend Woods.  Thanks James!

Wild snowdrops?

The snowdrops now adorning the banks of the burn in Port Charlotte are an altogether daintier version of the flower than those in my garden, or, I would suggest, in Bridgend Woods.  Carl

Snowdrops in Bridgend Woods

Anecdotal evidence would suggest that the snowdrops are out earlier this year.  They are not at their best yet, but are well on the way....

A keen snowdrop

A snowdrop almost out, photographed in Gruinart Wood yesterday by Mary McGregor, to whom thanks.
Malcolm

Spring has been delayed?

Full Story - The Guardian

Visit Scotland Snowdrop Festival - Press Release

It’s blooming marvellous in Argyll & Bute!


Four of the magnificent gardens in Argyll & Bute are set to pull in the crowds once again this winter, as VisitScotland kicks off the fifth year of its annual Scottish Snowdrop Festival on 1 February. Ardardan Walled Gardens in Cardross, Arduaine Gardens in Oban, Mount Stuart on Bute and Torosay Castle on the Isle of Mull are all featuring in the 2011 snowdrop festival.
Part of VisitScotland’s Winter White marketing campaign, the Scottish Snowdrop Festival will see more than 50 gardens from across the country throw open their gates for the first time this year, reminding people of the beauty of Scotland in the winter months. The festival is set to bring a welcome boost for the gardens and the surrounding tourism businesses as the industry goes through its traditionally quieter months.
In the year of Active Scotland, the festival is a great way to encourage visitors to get out and about and enjoy a range of gardens and forest walks that are famed for their stunning snowdrops between 1 February and 15 March.
David Adams McGilp, VisitScotland’s Regional Director, said: “The Snowdrop Festival represents an important part of our Winter White campaign, as we look to promote the natural beauty of Argyll & Bute, especially during those months that traditionally need a boost.
“The Snowdrop Festival allows visitors to experience Scotland’s natural assets within a variety of surroundings, including woodland walks, stately homes and scenic glens.”

The Snowdrop Festival runs from 1 February until 15 March. For more information on participating gardens and for information on offers and things to do throughout the winter months, visit www.visitscotland.com/snowdrops



Snowdrops in Bridgend - Gael and Colin Roy

Many thanks to Colin and Gael for this shot of the snowdrops lining the ride through the policies in Bridgend.  Taken yesterday during the sunshine it is a pleasant reminder of the glimpse of Spring we had before the rain started lashing against the windows again today....

Snowdrops in Bridgend Woods

The snowdrops are at their best right now...

Snowdrops

This may not be the last time you are subjected to a blizzard of Snowdrop pictures - they are one of my favourite flowers.  Until the daffodils arrive - then there are the bluebells to look forwward to of course, and there is something about sea pinks, and who can resist a Merse full of orchids?
Carl

Common Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)

Snowdrops are now fully out in our garden at Lorgba, Port Charlotte.
Carl

Bridgend Woods

Bridgend Woods contain probably the biggest stands of mixed woodland on Islay.  I understand that they were planted in the nineteenth century to provide shelter for Islay House and create the woodland rides for the gentry's carriages.  There were also sporting considerations of course, with Rhododendrons being planted for pheasant cover and the river banks managed for salmon fishermen.  There are now good numbers of mature trees - this is a beech.

The woods stretch all the way to Port Askaig, basically following the course of the River Sorn.  They border some of Islay's best agricultural land

The woods can be very quiet at this time of year.  We saw a couple of Ravens and a Buizzard when we first set off and had a glimpse of a Sparrowhawk later on, but there were very few small birds around.  You usually encounter a mixed tit flock at some point during a walk - but not today.  We saw a Roe deer as the light faded away.  Nice branch of lichen.

The trees represent a valuable resource for the estate - and they are managed for timber.

The snowdrops are almost with us.  I believe that Bridgend Woods have one of the largest displays of snowdrops anywhere in the UK.  Another week and they will be spectacular.

The Common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) and Optimism

It is not a great day outside today - lots of sharp showers interspersed by mostly grey skies, and although the strong southerly wind of this morning is dropping, it has been a day for staying indoors and catching up on a few tasks.  I have ventured out a few times however, and thought it would be good to include a picture of snowdrops in the garden pushing their way upwards and heralding at least the start of the end of what seems to have been a very long winter already. 

Incidentally, being unaware of the scientific name of the snowdrop, I visited the always excellent Wikipedia and came across the following: 

"Some snowdrop species are threatened in their wild habitats, and in most countries it is now illegal to collect bulbs from the wild. Under CITES regulations, international trade in any quantity of Galanthus, whether bulbs, live plants or even dead ones, is illegal without a CITES permit. This applies to hybrids and named cultivars as well as species. CITES does, however, allow a limited trade in wild-collected bulbs of just three species (G. nivalis, G, elwesii and G. woronowii) from Turkey and Georgia."

I am aware that large quantities of snowdrops have been harvested (commercially) from the colossal colonies in Bridgend Woods for a number of years, which would seem to be at odds with the above.  Does anyone have any more information about this?

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is an international agreement between governments, drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The text of the convention was agreed upon in 1973, and CITES entered into force on 1 July 1975. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival and it accords varying degrees of protection to more than 33,000 species of animals and plants.