april 4th
Great contrast between the valleys, who are still ‘green’ and the flowering bluebells on the plateaus.
April, 3rd
The plateau of the ‘Tranendal’ (Vale of tears) is every day more blue. But the valleys are still green.
march 28th
This weekend the forest will be beautiful with flowering anemones. The warm period until the middle of next week will help the bluebells to come into bloom.
The many beechnuts and acorns from last autumn have ensured that there are plenty of mice. Because tawny owls feed their young with mice, this year there are more owlets.
march 26 th
In the verges along the paths, early dog-violets are blossoming. Along the stream edges the yellow flowers of oxlips catch the eye.
There are wood anemones in abundance: everywhere, the forest floor is white and green. Every day more bluebells are flowering, but a “blue carpet” is definitely not yet there for this weekend.
march 23th
The wild daffodils are still pretty but they are starting to go over. Flowering anemones take over the forest. Under the conifers, white flowers of white wood sorrel are appearing.
Flower buds of wild bluebells are shooting up. The next warm period, in a few days time, might see the forest turn blue. The beechnuts that fell last autumn are awaking. They look just like young seedlings with “elephant ears”.
march 20th
The sunny and warm first day of spring brings on the first flowering bluebells. The daffodils are now at their most beautiful. The white flowers of the anemones are like white stars on a deep green carpet of bluebell leaves. But the weather forecast is not brilliant for the next week. We won’t see a blue forest full of bluebells in March. If you come from far away, especially to see the bluebells, it’s best to wait a bit for a visit to the forest.
march 18th
Moschatel blossoms with inconspicuous green flowers are in bloom. The daffodils are flowering nicely now. Deeply hidden between the leaves, the first buds appear on the bluebells. It’s still too early to see the first flowering bluebells. Hopefully there will be no more cold periods during late March and early April.
March 14th
Hairy wood-rush is blooming on the flanks of the sunken roads. Barren strawberry is blooming along the paths. On humid chalky places the inconspicuous dog’s mercury is flowering.
march 13th
Flowering willow catkins provide pollen for the brimstone which hibernates as an adult, and now flutters in the forest. In the ‘Kapittelvijver’ (Chapter’s pond) toads find a partner, while a pair of Mandarin ducks is enjoying the setting sun. In the edges of the wood, white flowering Blackthorn bushes catch the eye.
March 12th
Everywhere in the forest, like white little stars, wood anemone flowers appear. Lesser celandine is now in full bloom. The wild daffodils keep their beauty.