Howe Ridding

Finally got to Howe Ridding for the first time this year.
The walk in was very difficult, there was obviously a lot of wind blown timber after Storm Arwen and the tidy up has created deep mud along the access path.
However, the reserve itself has no obvious damage, and it look like the coppice team have been in and busy.
There were few signs of spring approaching, other than all the hazel catkins seem to have opened at once. If so this is nothing great for pollination as there were no female flowers to be seen. We will see what happens.
Also managed to make some damson and blackberry jam, fruit from Howe Ridding last summer!