Passed a cowslip just open this morning, and a couple of flower heads nearby which looked ready to open in a day or 2. The location (bottom of Solihull bypass) is where two 50mph dual carriageways merge, so not a place where close examination is easy
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Something weird is going on. Not only are they too early, but they're in the middle of a daffodil/narcissus plantation (cultivated varieties, natch, so flower well before the wild ones), which are usually in full bloom before the cowslips appear. The daffs are showing signs of budding, but the buds are not very fat yet, never mind bursting into flower. The cowslips seem to have arrived naturally, and have been propagating steadily over the last few years
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Meanwhile, some of the the hawthorn stems in the hedge we laid on Tuesday had produced leaves. They're rather a nice snack, with a slightly nutty flavour.