There has been a flurry of spring activity in my garden over the last week. Primroses seemed to pop up in our small front lawn overnight, adding a welcome splash of vibrant yellow and purple around the tussocky edges.

I’ve left the edges of the lawn grow a bit wilder for a few years and it’s brought lots of botanical delights, without much effort on my part. Nature has chosen the plants for me. Once the flowers die back, I leave the grass grow long until later in the summer and then mow and remove the clippings. 

In the back garden, there are wild patches too, but there was a new arrival early in the year. Periwinkle has crept under the fence from our neighbour and is spreading quickly. While good for ground cover, it does have a tendency to grow vigorously and block out other species, so the periwinkle will need cutting back soon. However, the small white flowers are attracting a host of emerging bumblebees looking for a much-needed food boost after hibernation, so I’ll delay the cutting back until there are more sources of nectar and pollen.

The smaller bees are leading the spring emergence this year. Early bumblebees, with their yellow bands and orange tails, are bobbing around the blooms. In previous years, they have nested in gaps beneath our aging patio, where there had previously been mice, providing great opportunities to watch their journeys around the garden. I’ve also spotted some tree bumblebees which are undoubtedly visiting from the woodlands nearby. These bees are also very small, with a noticeable fuzzy orange section on its body, and have been spreading northwards since their arrival in the UK in 2001. 

Early flowering plants provide a vital food source for emerging insects. In our garden, the large apple tree is about to blossom and will soon be a busy spot for insects and for the birds that feed upon them.  Timing is key in nature, as seasonal cues ensure that food sources are available when species arrive or end their dormancy. Disruption to these seasonal cues, and extreme weather events caused by our changing climate, has a significant effect on the fortunes for many species each year. Last year’s prolonged warm and dry spring and summer is a very recent example.

Planting for wildlife is a great way to provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for wildlife throughout the year. If you’re feeling inspired for your garden or green space, the Avon Wildlife Trust website has lots of advice and ideas, and wildflowers to buy from the nursery to help you get started. 

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A few minutes’ walk from home leads to one of my favourite woodland spots, and the dawn chorus has been building as the days have lengthened.

Chiffchaffs have returned with their lilting onomatopoeic call – “chiff-chaff, chiff-chaff”. The blackbirds, song thrushes, and robins are trying to outcompete each other with their melodious calls from the highest points in the bare trees.  With fewer leaves on trees, this is a great time to spot woodland birds before the tree canopy closes with spring growth. 

With school holidays on the horizon, I’m looking forward to spotting even more welcome signs of spring with my family.