Spring

As the days begin to lengthen, the first signs of spring appear with the willow and blackthorn coming into bloom.

The first bumblebees and brimstone butterflies emerge from hibernation, seeking nectar from these early flowering shrubs, as well as flowers such as cuckooflower. Frogs, toads and newts are all looking for mates and laying eggs in the ditches and pools whilst Migrant birds, including chiffchaff and willow warbler, start to arrive, having flown from the Mediterranean and northern Africa where they spent the winter.

As the weather warms they are joined by sedge warbler, blackcap and a variety of other visitors.

You can listen to some of their songs below.

Common cuckoo

Chiffchaff

Willow warbler 

Sedge warbler 

Blackcap