Spring

March – May

As spring gets going there is new life everywhere!

Catkins on Willow and Hazel will be bursting with pollen and if you look carefully on Hazel you will see the much smaller and less showy female flowers. A good spot to see these is by the stile at the far end of the playing field. You’ll also see other kinds of tree flowers on the Elm by the gate to the pond and Horse Chestnuts at the edge of the field by the village hall as well as the nearby Ash.

At the edge of the woods by the turning to Maes-y-felin, you might spot flowers on the Yew tree. There are more Yews in the churchyard.

One of the first bright splashes of colour in spring are the Celandines. You’ll find them on every hedgerow and verge, and if you walk through the woods you’ll see a carpet of them near where the old bridge over to the playing fieldused to be. This is also the spot to find Wood Anemones a little later in the spring.

A different kind of yellow also emerges in the spring, with Primroses and Cowslips appearing in verges and by the pond. Daffodils are another source of cheerful yellow at this time of year, along with Gorse. And of course the Dandelions start to flower in spring, providing a great early source of energy for insects. Some of the crocuses are also a golden yellow as well as purple ones. If you are walking in Black Covert at this time of year you may also spot Marsh Marigolds.

In contrast to the yellow you’ll also see white Stitchwort flowers appearing in the hedgerows along side the Celandines. Blackthorn also flowers around the same time, on bare spiny branches, distinguished from Hawthorn which flowers later after its leaves have appeared. Another white flower to join the crowd is Garlic Mustard which is often found near the gate to the pond as well as other hedgerows.

Insects also start to really take off during the spring and you’ll see many bees busily collecting nectar and pollen.

Ferns will be unfurling in the woods in the shady dampness.

At the pond you’ll see Forsythia and Flowering Currant in the hedge and the pond itself will begin to teem with life, including Water Boatmen, Pond Skaters, and various water beetles. You’ll also find frogspawn and tadpoles in vast numbers.

Butterflies start to appear to in the spring, like Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks, Green-veined Whites and Orange-tips. Orange-tips lay their eggs on Cuckooflowers, so you often see the two together.

Blue is another colour that begins to show itself as spring moves along. A carpet of beautiful bluebells can be found down in the woods in the village, as well as at Black Covert, and you’ll also see Forget-me-nots appearing as well as Speedwell.

One of my favourite flowers appears towards the end of spring – the Cuckooflower. You’ll find it growing in many places, but it seems to particularly like to grow in the hedgerow and field near the village hall. Tall Buttercups also appear at this time.

The apple trees near the pond will be flowering at this time of year, with pretty pink and white flowers which will later become apples.

In the woods near the bridge from the pond you are likely to spot Speckled Wood butterflies who seem to particularly enjoy this area.

If you look carefully in the hedgerows between the village hall and the turning for Maes-y-felin you may spot some lovely little Violets tucked away in the grass. And later more purple, when the Columbines flower in the same location, as well as pink and white.

Towards the end of the spring we start to see damselflies and dragonflies. These are commonly seen around the pond. Some of the first to appear are Large Red damselflies, and 4-Spotted Chaser dragonflies.

More flowers that appear as spring moves along are Red Campions with their fluffy stems and bright pink flowers, and another pink flower Vetch.