There are over 30 ponds across Holmwood Common, many of them the residue from brick-making activities. Today the water is clean and they provide a fantastic haven for amphibians such as frogs and toads – look out for the frogspawn. There are also newts in the ponds, which will become active at this time of year.
Deciduous woodland
Some of the ground will still be sticky clay after the winter, but the hardcore path around the common provides an excellent way to keep your feet dry and enjoy the surroundings.
As you stroll along look at the trees. Long yellow catkins are dangling from hazel trees, releasing clouds of pollen if shaken. Look closer to find the small, red female flowers at the tips of some of the hazel buds… they resemble miniature sea anemones. In the next few months silver birch will also put out catkins.
Keep an eye open for the buds of other trees: the sticky buds of horse chestnut; beech buds are slim and pointy; ash tree buds look like a bunch of purple grapes, and lime trees have delicate buds that break to reveal stunning bright green leaves.
The damp conditions of Holmwood Common by the streams and ponds are ideal for goat willow – a spring star performer. This shrubby bush will put out white furry buds, which then develop into the catkins. The catkins provide a vital early source of food for bees and other insects. The leaves of the goat willow are an important food for several caterpillars, including the magnificent purple emperor butterfly, and the caterpillars in turn provide food for birds. Once pollinated, the catkins develop into exquisite woolly seeds.