Leaves

In the middle of winter there are few flowers around.  However if you look closely at patches of green, leaves can be seen and identified.  This Primrose plant is showing the old leaves from last spring but also new leaves.  These leaves will feed the plant as spring approaches, so that it can flower before the leaf canopy grows.

Come spring many places on the reserve will turn yellow as the Primroses bloom.

Another plant showing its leaves is Dog Daisy.  Unusually this clump is growing right at the water's edge.

During June, these flowers line some of the paths providing pollen and nectar for many insects, but particularly bees.

Honeysuckle is a climbing shrub and can often be seen with its stem wrapped around young trees.  It is in leaf now, coping with ice and rain.

Later in the year the scented flowers provide food for moths and butterflies.