5 Signs Spring Has Sprung & What Wildlife You'll See in Your Garden And Beyond
Spring is a season of new beginnings, and what a delight to welcome back some of our favourite animal and feathered friends. As the days get longer and warmer, a flurry of activity happens across gardens, woodlands, and meadows across the nation. But what are they up to? Let's take a closer look at some of the happenings in the wildlife world that you might find in a garden, field or meadow near you.
1. Busy Bee:
• Why you'll see them: After a winter spent huddled together in their hives, bees emerge in spring with one crucial mission – food collection. Flowers are bursting into bloom, providing a vital source of pollen and nectar for the hive and to help nourish their young.
• What they'll be up to: Bees become a familiar sight flitting from flower to flower, gathering pollen on their fuzzy legs. This pollen is essential not only for food but also for the development of their bee larvae. If you can get close enough, you might even see them carrying little nectar-filled sacs back to the hive on their legs.
2. Feathered Friends: Blue Tits
• Why you'll hear them: Spring is a time of love songs for many birds, and the energetic Blue Tit is no exception. Their cheerful trilling and melodic calls fill the air as they stake out their territory and attract mates.
• What they'll be up to: These little blue bundles of energy are busy building nests in cavities of trees or boxes put up in gardens. Once paired up, they'll work tirelessly collecting insects to feed their hungry chicks, who hatch in the late spring or early summer.
3. Spikey Spring Cleaner: Hedgehogs
• Why you'll see them: After a long winter hibernation curled up in a cosy nest of leaves and twigs, hedgehogs emerge in spring feeling rather peckish! Their main priority is to find food and replenish their energy reserves after a long winter sleep.
• What they'll be up to: These nocturnal creatures will be busy snuffling around gardens and woodlands at night, munching on beetles, worms, and slugs. As the weather warms, they'll also start to think about mating, with hoglets arriving in the summer months.
4. Dabbling Delight: Runner Ducks
• Why you'll see them: Runner ducks are active year-round, but spring brings a special kind of excitement. With warmer weather and longer days, they become even more energetic and playful in ponds and waterways.
• What they'll be up to: Spring is mating season for runner ducks. Unlike some other duck species with elaborate displays, runner duck mating rituals are generally quieter affairs. The males may become more vocal, quacking more frequently, and chase after females. Once paired up, the female will lay a clutch of eggs, which she'll diligently incubate for around a month. The adorable ducklings will then emerge, ready to explore the world under the watchful eye of their mother.
5. Woolly Wonders: Sheep
• Why you'll see them: While sheep are out and about year-round, spring brings a renewed energy and vibrancy to their lives.
• What they'll be up to: Spring is a time of new beginnings for sheep. Ewes will give birth to their lambs, often in early spring. These adorable little creatures are full of energy, frolicking and playing in the fields alongside their mothers. Spring also means fresher pastures for sheep to graze on, as the winter chill gives way to lush green grass. This provides essential nutrients for both ewes and their lambs.
These are just a few of the many fascinating creatures that come alive in spring. So, enjoy nature unfolding as you go out and about in Spring and see how many you can spot.
Jin Designs is a keen supporter of the Sussex Wildlife Trust and recommends a visit to your local wildlife trust for further information on creatures and wildlife in your area.
Want to celebrate the return of these delightful creatures and add a touch of spring cheer to your kitchen and home? Explore the Jin Designs Spring Collection featuring, believe it or not, these charming characters of the season!
