Country life
We at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust are delighted to see these first tentative steps towards our wildlife bursting back into life .
Song thrushes , blue tits and chaffinches are raising their voices , claiming dominion over their territories and singing for the season ahead , while woodpeckers drum alongside them .
Snowdrops are rearing their heads , braving the cold to assure us there are brighter days ahead , and a number of other wildflowers will follow suit ; coltsfoot often makes an appearance by the wayside and in the woodlands , and infamous ‘ lords and ladies ’ plants begin to spread their leaves and grow .
Woodlands are wonderful places to enjoy the last wisps of winter and spot the first signs of spring . Shining , golden carpets of star-like celandine flowers can cover woodland floors as early as January , and wild primroses are often found in woodland clearings . Primroses flower very early in the year - their name is thought to derive from the Latin for ‘ first rose ’ ( prima rosa ).
You may be lucky enough to see evidence of badgers spring cleaning . Badgers tend to stay underground as much as they can during the winter to keep warm , but they often emerge early in the year to get rid of their old bedding and replace it with new – you may see it piled up outside their setts . They do this in preparation for the arrival of their young ; many badgers will give birth this month .
February is also a wonderful
Photo : Snowdrops by Alan Price
time to discover some beautiful and unusual species of fungi . Certain types of fungi thrive in the late winter and early spring when surrounding vegetation has died back , and you may be surprised to happen upon some truly remarkable species . Scarlett elf cup is particularly striking with its bright red colouring and distinctive shape .
February is a month of transition , full of welcome harbingers of the season to come – experience them first hand and explore your local wild places , delight in new discoveries and be sure to enjoy this special time of year .
Visit www . hiwwt . org . uk for more information . www . visitilife . com 85