Spring into the Bay

Spring is my favourite time of year - the extra hours of daylight and the re-awakening of nature help bring me out of the winter lull.

There’s so much to see and hear at this time of year.

In the woodlands the birds are busy pairing up and singing to stake out their territories. Woodpeckers are starting to drum, chiff chaffs fill the trees with their song and soon the cuckoos will be returning.

The woodland floor is carpeted with a rainbow of spring flowers from celandines and native daffodils to violets, wood anemones and wild garlic to the splendour of bluebells that arrive later in the season.

The first butterflies appear from hibernation on the first warm days - brimstones, small tortoiseshells and peacocks emerging from their winter slumber to nectar on the early flowers of dandelions and willow catkins.

The grasslands start their seasonal kaleidoscope with the first early purple orchids and delicate yellow cowslips coming to life. Bees and hoverflies come to make the most of their nectar offerings.

Frogs and toads are loud and active as they claim their mates and migrate to their breeding grounds. Ponds are full of spawn eager to be the wriggling tadpoles of the next generation.

Blossom blooms in the hedgerows and traditional orchards providing early nectar for the queen bumblebees stocking up to start their new underground colonies.

All this bursting of life attracts migrant birds back from their winter homes as they gather to mate and rear their offspring - Ospreys return from Africa and Avocets from their Mediterranean sojourn.

The illusive rare Hawfinch puts on a show for a very small window of time as it gorges itself on hornbeam seeds in readiness for it’s secretive home-making.

This cacophony of sights and sounds marks the start of a busy year for our flora and fauna in the race to regenerate and survive through our changing climate and increased pressure on our green spaces. The Morecambe Bay area has a hoard of carers looking after this unique place to ensure it’s special features are protected into the future.

One of the most spectacular features of the bay at this time of year are the fabulous sunsets highlighting the expanse and wonder of the bay as the year moves on. There’s so much to see and experience on this frontier for nature - why not come and see for yourself…..

Want to know more? Book a NaturesGems tour!