Before winter has really taken hold, many of us have started seeing early signs of spring.
After the mildest December since records began, it’s no wonder nature is getting a bit muddled. Birds have been bursting into song since the New Year while gardens and roundabouts, especially in the south, were lighting up with their slow dawn of daffodils as early as Christmas.
So what does it all mean? Well, unfortunately any plants which emerged earlier than usual will have been in for a nasty shock, as young shoots aren’t built to cope with harsh cold. But nature is the great adapter. For instance, frogs whose early spawn freezes may lay another batch later in the year.
And according to the Met Office, we shouldn’t expect warm, wet winters to become the norm – at least not for some decades to come. For now, let's enjoy the glimpses of new life emerging and look forward to sunnier months ahead.