About Mountsorrel > Outdoors > Nature Diary > Spring 2002
Springtime is probably the period when nature is at its most active. If you look at the trees and hedgerows the buds are full and ready to burst. Blackthorn and hawthorn are usually the first into their stride and the hedges around” the commons” in and around Bond Lane and those in Betty Henser’s Lane are just waiting for the climate to become milder. Horse chestnut, oak, silver birch and hazel trees around the village are well advanced and many of the cultivated varieties along the walks and footpaths are also very close to bud burst.
Already the “lords and ladies” plants, which later will produce small spikes of berries, and nettle plants which will provide food for a number of species of butterflies, are showing their leaves in the bottom of the hedgerows. We should also be on the lookout for lesser celandine, primrose, bluebell and coltsfoot among other spring plants and flowers.
Blue Tits, Great Tits, Blackbirds and Dunnocks have been singing since late January and, as spring progresses, the dawn chorus will gradually get louder as our native birds are joined by summer migrants. Look out for the well known species such as swallow, house martin, swift and the less easily identified such as willow warbler, chiff chaff, blackcap and whitethroat. These migrants can be heard around the village but the Bond Lane and Crown Lane areas are perhaps the best to see and hear them. The first cuckoo is also always a welcome sound.
House sparrow and starling numbers are in decline. Readers may have noticed that the flocks of both birds are smaller and there is some concern for their future well-being. The song thrush has declined markedly and although several have been singing around the village since late January there are far fewer than just 10-15 years ago. I would be grateful if anyone who has a song thrush visiting their garden or who sees or hears one regularly could contact me. I would also be grateful if anyone knows where swallows, house martins or swifts are nesting in the village could get in touch with me.
Many more insects will be noticeable as spring wears on and the first butterflies will be appearing, the brimstone, peacock and small tortoiseshell being among the first.
There are not many field ponds in the area now, which
make garden ponds all the more important for amphibians. Look out for frogspawn
laid in clumps and toad spawn laid in strings and in deeper water. Newts
will also be returning to garden ponds to lay their eggs.
Ken Wiblin
Parish Heritage Warden
wiblin@cwcom.net