As the solstice passed it made me think; what actually is Spring? Are the seasons just an arbitrary way to divide up the year? Do they have meaning apart from when defined by seasonal events and alterations in our physical environment?
Technically, this is spring. Yet it still seems like winter; not only because of the inclement weather, but also the delay in phenological events. These are events in nature that occur at specific times of year, like the spawning of amphibians, trees coming into bud, the first bumblebees buzzing in the flowerbed, and migrant birds arriving.
Frog spawn by Lizzie Ingram
Flora: Lesser celandine is coming into flower in places down in the Churnet, but at a higher elevation here at Coombes, our flowers are a little behind.
Lesser celandine by Simon Gray
The bluebells remain green clumps, unchanged since our arrival a month ago, but I can imagine what a spectacular sight they will be when the carpet of green turns into a carpet of blue! Watch this space, it surely can’t be long! In the meantime, bright yellow catkins on the coppiced hazel make an attractive sight.
Coppiced hazel by Jarrod Sneyd
Fauna: No bumblebees, ladybirds, or butterflies yet, and in our moth trap, a single, lonely, spider! Insects generally seem scarce in this cold weather (excepting Lizzie’s fabulous ‘Fly on Snow’!), so it’s no wonder the fly-eating migrant birds have yet to show themselves. There are still winter visitors like redwings and fieldfares about, but the tits are investigating the nest boxes so the breeding season can’t be far off. Chiffchaffs are due any day now- come to Coombes Valley and spot the first one for us!
Fly on Snow by Lizzie Ingram
Charming as Winter is at Coombes, I’m hopeful he’s finally had his last hurrah. One morning soon I’ll wake up and it’ll be Spring; whatever the calendar month, I don’t accept spring’s arrived until bees and butterflies are busy amongst the wildflowers, and the toads are migrating! What makes spring in your eyes?