the first snowdrops are already pushing their way steadily upwards
winter cherry, Prunus Autumnalis, three of which I planted close
GARDENING
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Nature’s early visitors
With daffodils emerging and bumblebees stirring from their slumbers, weeks or even months ahead of schedule, we could be forgiven for thinking the seasons are playing tricks on us.
And, if it’s confusing for us, who knows what our native flora, fauna and wildlife make of the unpredictable temperatures? Well someone once said that one swallow does not a summer make but there have been multiple sightings of these small birds returning to Britain after migrating south for winter. Not normally seen here until April or May, swallows were among several species spotted behaving as if spring had well and truly sprung.
‘‘Certain trees and shrubs are also great for bees as they provide masses of flowers in one place’’
According to the Woodland
Trust, which encourages people to record seasonal sightings, the balmy weather has caused all sorts of animals including snakes, bees, hedgehogs and butterflies to wake up early from hibernation while robins and thrushes have been glimpsed building nests. Trees including field maples and European larches have been bursting into bud early and butterflies have been fluttering by possibly in a state of mild confusion.
When it comes to helping our wildlife through these unexpected temperature highs and lows, there’s plenty of advice to be found. In particular, there’s concern
for bumblebees which need flowers to pollinate throughout the seasons, even moreso when unseasonable warm weather disrupts their regular routines and makes them unusually active early in the year.
Householders are advised to make their gardens bee-friendly by planting a good variety of pollen rich flowers. The trick is to aim for those with different flower shapes and a range of flowering periods from early spring to late summer and even throughout the winter if possible.
Native plants are another recommendation and some rarer bee species tend to favour native wildflowers which are relatively pest resistant and easy for anyone to grow, even if you’re not green-fingered.
Certain trees and shrubs are also great for bees as they provide masses of flowers in one place. Choose winter and early spring flowering trees such as apple, wild cherry, willow and hazel to do your bit for the local bee population. And, if you want to help them out even more, you can create insect houses to provide nesting sites for solitary bees and anything else that might be flying or crawling nearby. You can even go the whole hog and make a simple bee house or pick up a ready-made one from a garden centre or other outlet. Either way, bee boxes should ideally be placed in a south-facing spot but not in direct sunlight with the entrance pointing down to keep out the rain.
More generally, gardeners are advised to put food and water out for any unexpectedly early wildlife visitors, remove any hazards and create nesting sites or install boxes to make them safe and welcome. Whatever the seasons might have in store for us, there’s never a dull moment when it comes to the great British weather.
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