With the latest lockdown exceeding 50 days we can look forward to Spring
and the awakening of the countryside and our gardens. The Brent Geese on the coast will be leaving
anytime soon for Arctic Russia and those overwintering Blackcaps will return to
their breeding grounds in central Europe only to be replaced with our breeding
Blackcaps returning from a winter in the sun.
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| Lesser Celandine |
Already frog spawn has been
seen in ponds and ditches. Spring
flowers are starting to appear with the yellows of Lesser Celandines,
Primroses, Marsh Marigolds and Coltsfoot to the fore.
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| Wood Anemone |
These will be followed by the
blues of Violets, Bluebells and Ground Ivy and the whites of Cow Parsley, Wood
Anemone and Wood-Sorrel.
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| Green-veined Orchid |
Then there will be the early orchids – Early Purple and Green-veined before the floodgates of variety open and with it the urge to wander further afield.  |
| Brimstone |
There will come that day when
one sees the first Brimstone butterfly, the first Wheatear, the first Swallow
or first hears the Cuckoo or perhaps see an Adder basking in the warmth of the
morning sun.
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| Northern Wheatear |
However dark the days of this last winter have been, Spring’s return
lifts the spirits and is out there to experience and enjoy.
RC
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| Common Adder |
All photos © Richard Comber
