Over the last couple of weeks we have been outside looking at catkins and blossoms.
Catkins are long slim clusters of tiny seeds/flowers which dangle from bare tree branches, we have been spotting the different colours and shapes and trying to identify the type of tree they belong to. This time of year you mainly find hazel and alder catkins, with the silver birch just starting. The seeds are dispersed on the wind and by insects, helping new trees to grow in different places. Hazel catkins eventually turn into hazelnuts!
The trees and hedges are starting to burst with beautiful blossoms, a definitive sign that spring is starting. Blackthorn, hawthorn and crab apple are the most common types of early spring blossom. Blossom provides food for pollinating insects, queen bees emerging from hibernation have been spotted buzzing around by some of our budding nature detectives! I have also seen a few early butterflies flying around in the sunshine and evidence of the reappearance of hedgehogs at the bottom of my garden.
The best way to appreciate what’s happening in our woodlands and gardens is to get out there and explore. The children were set the task of twisting together some twigs and thin branches found lying on the floor, to make a wreath shape. Then going on a walk, collecting signs of spring and adding them to the wreath as they went. The children in school really enjoyed the activity and created some beautiful wreaths.
We will be looking at more specific signs of spring over the next few weeks!
Mrs Wilson
