Well almost....But wherever you are the signs are all around - you just have to look and listen. . The cheerful yellow flowers of the lesser celandine are sprouting in hedgebanks and gardens, the creamy primrose petals are opening (check that scent - its wonderful) and now is a great time to brush up on your bird song. Song thrushes are in full song, together with great tit, blue tit, and dunnock, The occasional woodpigeon is tuning up and green woodpeckers are 'yaffling' from the woods. Have a look at my videos on this site - episode 1 for a reminder.
Green Woodpecker (Steve K)
If you live by the coast, now is a good time to tell the difference between some of those 'sea' gulls. Have a look at episode 3 of the videos and also this one from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). which shows how to spot common gulls (well not so common actually) from herring (the sea-side chip stealer) and black-headed gulls (the ones that follow the plough and are often seen inland.)
But wherever you are you can probably find rooks. for some weeks now they have been busily repairing their nests and will have eggs or possibly even small youngsters by now, You don't have to look far to find their colonies - clumps of tees on roundabouts are a favourite place (please be sure to park up safely before having a look!). Parks and copses are also good places to find them. If you look at Video 1 you can remind yourself of the difference between these large, rather shaggy creatures with big grey beaks and the rather smaller black-billed crow with its harsher 'crak' call.
Looking further ahead, the BTO is tracking cuckoos and you will be pleased to know that they are already starting their incredible journey back to our shores. Two of them have moved from their most southerly location in Cameroon to Gabon in West Africa, where they will begin to build up fat reserves for the great journey across the sahara desert.
Its all happening, folks! Let me know if you see any sights and sounds that you would like to share.
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