Seasons - Spring
Woodland - Look out for emergence of spring flowers such as:
Lesser Celandine, Wood Sorrel and Wood Anemone, and in damp
glades the small pale lilac flowers of the Cuckoo flower
(also known as ladys’ smock) – key food plant of the orange
tip butterfly.
Look out for the Cuckoo pint (Arum maculatum) –
known by a selection of common names, such as: Lords and
Ladies, Jack in the Pulpit, Devils and Angels, Cows and
Bulls, Adam and Eve, and Bobbins. Purple spotted leaves
appear in spring, followed by the club-like flower which is
protected by a leaf-like hood.
During spring the Cuckoo arrives from its’ winter retreat in
Africa, so listen out for the distinctive mating call of the
male Cuckoo from early spring (March). Cuckoos have a
particular liking for hairy caterpillars. There is a
cacophony of bird calls and songs from birds such as Chiff
Chaff, Willow warbler, Blackcap, Bullfinch, Chaffinch,
Blackbird, Song thrush, Robin etc.
You may hear the repetitive musical call of the Song thrush
(which is in serious decline), which likes eating snails by
smashing them against a rock with a swish of the head.
Common butterfly species such as Brimstone, Small
Tortoiseshell and Peacock can also be seen in Spring. Look
out for the small but dazzling Holly Blue, fluttering around
Holly, looking for the flowers, on which it will lay its’
eggs.