As March unfolds, nature begins to stir, offering the first true signs of spring – buds preparing to burst into blossom, the emergence of daffodils and warmer days bringing our early pollinators such as bumblebees and Brimstone butterflies. It’s a month of change—and one you can experience with all your senses. So, step outside and look, listen and inhale the sights, sounds, and scents of the season!

See this: Cast your eye down to the floors of woodlands this spring, and you will be met with a beautiful array of colours decorating the scene. Wood Anemones and Wild Daffodils bring bursts of white and yellow to the undergrowth, turning their faces to the sun in the season of renewal. Violets and Primroses add delicate splashes of purple and cream, while clusters of Lesser Celandine shine like golden stars along woodland paths and Bluebells hint that they will be putting on a spectacular show very soon. These woodland wildflowers are not just a beautiful sight; they are a vital part of the ecosystem, supporting insects and marking the gradual return of longer, warmer days.

Hear this: Listen out for the first Cuckoo of the year towards the end of the month—a true sign that spring has arrived. This distinctive, two-note call, sounding like “cu-coo”, is one of the most eagerly anticipated sounds of the season, marking the return of these fascinating birds from their long migration. Often heard before they are seen, Cuckoos prefer open countryside, woodlands, and wetlands, where their call echoes across the landscape. Their arrival signals a shift in nature, as warmer days bring a flurry of new life. If you’re lucky, you might spot one perched high in a tree, but their unmistakable call is often all you need to know they’re near. Keep your ears open—it won’t be long before the first Cuckoo’s song fills the air.

Smell this: Being careful to avoid the thorns, enjoy the almondy scent of Blackthorn which will be frothing over our hedgerows from late-March through April. Blackthorn is an important species for many types of wildlife. Its frothy blossom provides nectar and pollen for some of our earliest pollinators – Honeybees in particular favour it, though it’s also sought by bumblebees. Caterpillars of many moth species, including the aptly named Hawthorn Moth, find it a valuable food source too.

Feel this: Get up before dawn and step outside into the crisp morning air, where the world feels still and quiet. Feel the coolness of first light on your skin, a refreshing contrast to the warmth that will soon follow. As the sun begins its slow ascent, its gentle rays start to melt away the chill, wrapping you in a soft, golden glow. The ground beneath your feet may still hold traces of morning dew, while a light breeze stirs the fresh scent of earth and new growth. Take a deep breath, stretch your arms, and bask in the quiet beauty of a spring morning unfolding around you.

Enjoy filling your senses with springtime sensations, whether that’s getting out and spending time on our nature reserves or brightening your day with watching wildlife from your window; the brighter colours, lush vegetation, longer days, earthy scents, buzzing insects and choirs of birdsong are sure to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step!