THE recent snow and freezing conditions, or ‘The Beast from the East’ as it was affectionately known, temporarily put spring on hold for most of us. Now, with the arrival of warmer weather more akin to this time of year, things are starting to happen.

Male frogs can be heard croaking with gusto from our pond late at night, in an attempt to attract the larger females. The vibrancy of the plumage on our visiting garden birds is also noticeable – chaffinches, goldfinches and bullfinches etc. Their striking colouration is looking almost hand-painted and a wildlife wander down a country lane is accompanied by a symphony of birdsong. The sweet melody of a dunnock, the ‘Teacher, teacher’ call of a great tit and the rich flute-like tones of a blackbird, delight the ears and warm the soul.

Plants add their contribution too, with a variety of classics that most people can recognise at a glance. Crocuses sport a wide range of colours to please the eye, along with another spring-time plant, the beautiful daffodil. These were once banned from the houses of poultry farmers as it was believed they would prevent their hens from laying. Then there is the lesser celandine, otherwise known as pile wort, as it was once used in the treatment of haemorrhoids, and the delightful primrose, the plant that graces verges and roadside banks, bringing a splash of welcome colour.

Yes, spring has kicked off at last.

LB Loxley