Signs of Spring
Winter is ending and the world is waking up…
After a long winter, there’s nothing more exciting than spotting the first signs of spring! Keep reading to learn more about this super season…
Signs of spring!
Snowdrop spotting!
Snowdrops are one of the very first signs of spring. These delicate flowers emerge in the depths of winter, as early as the 1st of January.
By February, snowdrops flower in woodlands, parks, and gardens all over the UK. They’re small, measuring just 15cm tall, but their beautiful white flowers make them easy to spot.
Due to climate change, snowdrops seem to be appearing earlier and earlier every year – so keep an eye out from Christmas onwards!
Woodland wonderland!
Other early bloomers, like yellow primroses, join snowdrops on the forest floor, early in the year. Overhead, some trees will also be blooming – look out for their long, unusual-looking flowers, which are known as ‘catkins‘!
Ponds full of frogspawn!
Many frogs and toads hibernate during the winter, but by the time spring comes around, they’re awake and raring to go!
Frogspawn (a jelly-like blob of amphibian eggs!) starts to appear in ponds across the UK from January onwards. It usually emerges in the south west of England first, and by March frogspawn can be found all over.
Only 1 in 50 of these precious eggs will survive to adulthood, which is why frogs lay so many! If they don’t get gobbled up by a predator, these eggs will grow into tiny tadpoles – another sign of spring.
Blossom blooming!
The white flowers of blackthorn are one of the first blossoms every year – they appear even before the shrub has leaves! Pink blossoms like cherry and apple follow shortly after, and pinkish-white hawthorn blossom in May.
Blossom trees (and the fruit that falls from them, after the blossom ends) are an important habitat and food source for lots of other animals. Bees, caterpillars, blackbirds, and even mammals like voles and badgers, all rely on these trees for food and shelter.
Buzzing bees!
Blossoming trees are a sign that it’s time for bees! With the return of flowering plants and trees, bees emerge from their winter nests and get ready for a new year of nectar collecting.
The start of spring sees the return of many other insects, too. Keep an eye out for beautiful butterflies, and check the ground for scurrying beetles.
You can encourage bees into your garden by planting native wildflowers, or building a bee hotel!
Longer days, lighter evenings
After the March equinox, countries above the equator line (like the UK) are tilted towards the sun. As a result, these countries get more hours of daylight and warmer temperatures.
Add in daylight saving time, where we all move our clocks forwards on a specific date in March, and the evenings are suddenly much sunnier than before!
Bluebell woodlands
Believe it or not, over half the world’s population of bluebells live in the UK, and in spring, they’re out in full force!
These strongly-scented blooms form carpets across shady woodland floors from mid-April onwards. Bluebell colonies take a long time to establish, therefore they’re often found in ancient woodland.
Bluebell flowers are very delicate, so it’s important not to touch them and to be careful not to trample on them. If you’re visiting a bluebell wood, be sure to stick to the path, to keep these fab flowers safe!
Birds, birds, birds!
Spring is a busy time for parents in the animal kingdom – and this is particularly true for birds! Spotting a bird’s nest is a true sign of spring, but they can be tricky to see, as many birds carefully conceal their nests to keep their chicks safe from predators.
Instead, listen out for the tuneful birdsong that begins in March, as birds start to seek out their mating partners. Keep a look out for nesting birds in your garden, local parks and nearby waterways, too.
If you’re lucky enough to spot a bird’s nest, make sure you don’t get too close or touch it, just observe from a distance and keep an ear out for the sound of little chicks!
Thanks to Arno Smit; Hanns Benn; Karsten Paulick; Sean McGee; Larisa Koshkina, and 42North, for providing the images used in this article.
Have you spotted any signs of spring? Let us know in the comments!
Likes
LEAVE A COMMENT
THANK YOU
Your comment will be checked and approved shortly.
WELL DONE,
YOUR COMMENT
HAS BEEN ADDED!
COMMENTS1
Alli
Spring has so much to it that makes it so fun
YOLO
spring is AMAZING
hello
I love spring
clara
this is cool
clara
its always fun to see the new growth and animals come back
Gavin
I like spring
Flower
Spring is so intresting! I don't like frogs but I like birds because I used to have one as a pet. (A blue parrot)
Vishodhan
spring is the best
anime boy
i am a summer born baby, but i love spring!!!!!!!!!!
i love spring
Dionne
Yes! I have seen spring! I saw some flowers budding and bloseming.
ruru
NICE thanks
Blakeinthemedow
I like frogs!!! not bees but bees are important so bees are good to....... good job!
Noora
I love spring
Jinwoo Jeong
Cool artical. I even wrote an poem based on it.
Charlie
I loved to learn about Spring and it was so fun
good
Nora
Can't wait for spring!
Jassy
Thank you! I did something for my school project and i needed this.
wakely
this was so good
Lettie
I love spring because the flowers grow back
Spring is very cool !!!!!
Drake
I love parks
Jaiden
I'm excited for spring because I can play lacrosse
Vada
It is really fun to read it
Very gooooood
FRANK
I love spring because I can play football ⚽️
Manny
This is very cool! highly recomend
B.R
If you read this I'm the only real person. Also this is a short reed witch I like.
ColorZFish
thank you for the tips!
Anjay B Mis
I have seen the snow drops all round, and some daffodils too. Spring is here!
Tim
Very good signs of spring
Ben
Good
niko
brrrrrrrrr
Liam
Good
Mus
Kittens are the cutest animals ever
Advik.A
I always wanted to know the signs of each season, and now I know fall and spring. THANKS!
Alijah s.
the facts are amzing
Kyla b.
All of the animals and trees look pretty and the baby birds look sooo cute I love their fer and I love the flowers they are so pretty a nice message from 310!!!
keagan
thank you for making a whole website
Heidi
Perfect facts!
Emmy
This was great for research Thank you so much for putting effort into this
CAMI
THIS IS COOOL THANKS FOR THE INFO
B
this is cool
COOL
lexi
thank you! you have really helped me to understand spring more! i cant wait to learn more!
sonma
I really enjoyed reading thankyou
mis charletes class
This helped my class so much thank you
hames
I like spring so much because thare is so meny frogs.
bob
very good
juliafortunato
This website had some great information in it!
Elephant Class
We have enjoyed exploring your website on spring as we have been learning all about the early signs of spring today!
Gavin Troyer
I learned a lot so thank you National Geographic You're amazing. Thank you!
Willow Dorvil
These are great facts. I can't wait to see a bird!
This is so cool!
Matilda Anne Janssen.
I love learning about Springtime!
griff
yes I have seen blossom trees
Lulu
I have a bird feeder and a lot more birds have been eating the seeds since it´s gotten warmer
I love spring the flowers are so prity like snowdrops and daisys. I love spring the flowers are so prity like snowdrops and daisys.
IJCORALSHINE
I can't wait for spring!
Andrew
cool article I learned a lot
Grace
I Love natural geographic
Sahara
Best website to search about the nature
Sarah & Grace
amazing facts!
kionna joshua
I love the sighs of springs because to me i think i like it because i love when the butterflys comes out and the flowers looks better
monkey129022
FUN!!!!
i hate bees
Shivani
I have seen cherry blossoms.
Evalina
I have a pond and it’s got frogs and frog spawn!
Laura
I prefer spring better than winter because winter is very cold and it's hotter in spring. I can play outside without needing to wear my furry coat. And you also have pretty flowers all around!!
Bob
Winter is better than spring because it's my birthday.
i see snow melting
Zac
That's so cool I saw a flower blossoming!!
Mati
This is soooo cool I love it thank for putting this site up!
Summer rose
Very good reading I hadn't heard of bluebells until now as I'm only 10
Maisie
I have seen some cute spring lambs. I have also seen some snowdrops at the bottom of my garden.
Lila
I love this website.
MF1050566
yes i have seen babby lambs at the farm and blossem trees
Bella
That's nice to know
Hi
This is very educational
Lesgo Brandon
Thanks for making it so good
Sam
I really loved this because it is really weird and interesting
Kynsi
Spring is my favorite time of the year
COOL I Can’t wait for spring to come
#SPRING
Spring if March 20th Longer days, getting warmer, flowers are growing spring is great!! Get ready spring is coming
this web site is amazing
Maisie
Baby animals
Spring Lover385
Spring is one of my favourte time of the year. I love finding frogspawn in the pond.
laina
spring is warm
SPRING FACTS
Spring is fun.
kaitlyn
birds
Cool!!!
Sweetie
Very interesting......
Cool
interesting
Lunar_Star4586
I LOVE Spring!
spring flowers are so cool
cool
HELLO
COOL
Hi
Cool
ello
wow
sweet tooth
thank you for teaching us this
aydendude
summer more cooller than spring
Sam
i love it.
EW
thanks realy helpfull and suprising
charlotte
I love spring the flowers are so prity like snowdrops and daisys.
shadow
Kawhia
Longer days, lighter evenings
Cool guy
Eco Warrior
Interesting! Hi there. I like to go litter-picking to help with the environment, lots of litter is scattered where I live which is why it is imperative to clean our community up to make a healthier planet!
Danicaf744
hi
Emmita Cabello
This thing is super cute
Abrar
bg
wow!!! my favvvvv spring !
Saheli
Lovely
so pretty
babybirdhateaccount
baby birds are extremely ugly
Cool
popopop
cool
Zoe
beatiful
Isabella
it is so cool
Alva
SPRING
David Rivera
i like spring
BRIAN RICE
FLAURS BEES BRDS
Angeliss
i love spring
David
Good
Baby shark
doo-doo-do-doo-doo-doo
I love Spring
Leo
There are LOTS of bees around the sage in my backyard.
CRAZY WOLF 14
SO PRETTY
CRAZY WOLF 14
SO PRETTY
pbeck
We have seen butterflies, and are trying to save a baby bird that fell out of its nest.
julian
lol i love spring too
Littlen1311
Lovely
I love it
rico
Spring is awesome, hi A
l
victor
spring is the best season
2029olgac
noice
jamie t
im sooo cool
Ishi08
this helped in my school work
Ishi08
this helped in my school work
Hannah010709
Spring is fun! So excited for summer to come up! Say Hello To Spring!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
XD
8800 cool
COOL
Good to know info about spring is cool
rayat
5araps
good
Adelina
Interesting
Ethan
BIGGEST_FAN
I love spring but my area is putting a decline to nature so I have not seen the specimens everyone else have seen however I really want to make a difference
Best ever
Best ever
Mill
this is cool
cool man
zara
These really helped me out because it has been raining for a long time here in Glasgow.
did you know; a gold-edged snowdrop is extremely rare ,and was sold at an auction for over £1000000 ,($?,for now ill just go with £1000000 or $$$$)
Tori
H7*gg7n(
Cool
Spring is here!!!!!
Clara
penny
omg
Elizabeth
Wood pigeons egg shell
adriana
best time ever!
Suppeppa_pig
Noice to hit ya……oh yeah i have the science, animal and space book
Pixie
I love spring it is one of my favirote seasons.
LEO
noah
i lovd it lol
Jiahao
Cooooooooool
This is great
Waw it is amusing
Nice to
nice
Martha
I love the birds.
Martha
I love spring and these pictures are cool.
Cooooooool!
Farrah
I’m really interested in science and this helps it’s fun and interesting to read
Bird's nest up on a tree
Finally time to go outside
Ella
I was BORN in Spring! It's my absoulte FAV season!
Zoe
It is very cool! I discover a lot of information about spring, it is my favourite season
BillAndTed
Yay!
Nice!
Great!
Cool
zakiatanvir
Very Helpful
Very Helpful
CUSTOMIZE YOUR AVATAR