Springtime is the season in which nature wakes up and starts to grow after the long sleep of winter.  This season as it progresses becomes a noisy but colourful affair.  The first signs are the early spring flowers emerging out of the ground.  Snowdrops are a sure sign to everyone that spring has sprung but other early flowers such as Dogs Mercury can be seen as the first indication of spring.  Later on in the season, other wildflowers like Lesser Celandine and Bluebell will sprout and fill our countryside with colour.  In addition, there will be a surfacing of spring fungi.  Ones that may be seen are Morel mushrooms and the St George’s mushroom, which by its namesake it is seen around the 23rd of April and can occur in rings on chalk grassland.

Trees too come to life in spring and their buds begin to swell.  The Hawthorn is a tree that comes into leaf early, Blackthorn bushes spring into tiny white blossom and catkins can be found hanging on Hazel trees.  Over the coming months, all our tree species will come into leaf, giving our woodland life and colour in preparation to spread their pollen and produce seed in autumn.

Wild birds will start to eagerly construct nests ready for their clutches of eggs.  Small birds such as Robins will find a hedgerow or a bird-box to nest in while Crows and Jackdaws will be seen collecting twigs for their treetop homes.  The Blackbird, especially the males, will be seen and heard desperately defending his territory and trying to entice a female.  Other animals including insects, amphibians and mammals will too commence their courting behaviour trying to impress mates.  This will result in many different colourful and noisy displays.  You may hear the howling of foxes and the croaking of frogs around this time.  The effort we result in ponds being swollen with frogs spawn while foxes maybe spotted with cubs.

Remember, while out spotting all these wonderful plants and animals follow the countryside code and do not disturb any wildlife or pick wild flowers and fungi.  It’s best to take nothing but memories and leave nothing but footprints.

Happy spotting.

Karl Curtis – Biodiversity Ranger  (Swindon Services Ranger Team)