In the February podcast I spoke about this point in the year when the season is beginning to shift, even though it still feels like winter most days. Late February is not dramatic, but it is active if you look closely.
If you’ve managed to find a dry day, or a gap in between rain showers so far this month, there are small changes that are easy to overlook. This is a good time to pay attention to what is happening before the more obvious signs of spring arrive in March.
Lesser celandine
Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) is often one of the first wildflowers to appear in late winter, sometimes flowering before primroses become widespread. You will usually find it in damp ground, along woodland edges, and in shaded hedgerows. The flowers are glossy and yellow, with narrow petals arranged in a star-like form. The leaves are dark green and heart-shaped, lying low to the ground. On dull days the flowers may remain closed, opening more fully in brighter light. Its appearance is a reliable indicator that the season is moving towards early spring, even if temperatures remain low.
Alder Catkins
Alder trees are often among the first to show movement towards spring. You will usually find them near streams, damp ground, and along riverbanks.
The long male catkins, which have been present throughout winter, begin to lengthen and release pollen. The small red female flowers are visible at the tips of the branches if you look closely. They are not showy, but they are clear indicators that the growing season is approaching.
If you are walking near water, take a moment to look up at the branches rather than only at ground level.
Rookeries Becoming Active
Although the full dawn chorus belongs more to March and April, rookeries often become noticeably more active in late February.
Rooks begin repairing and strengthening nests high in tall trees. Their calling increases, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. If you pass farmland or mature trees near open fields, you are likely to hear them before you see them.
This increased activity is one of the clearer late-winter changes in bird behaviour.
Moss and Lichen in the Hedgerows
Before flowers appear in numbers, hedgerows are worth examining more closely. Moss is at its best in damp late winter conditions, often appearing bright green against stone and bark. Lichens show strong colour and texture at this time of year, particularly on older branches and stone walls.
It's ideal to find oak moss and lichens on the ground after a storm or heavy rainfall, as it falls from branches.It makes a nice spring decoration when added to indoor but or plant pots.
Lengthening Evenings
Daylight hours are increasing steadily now. Sunset is later than it was in January, and the shift is noticeable within a short period of time.
This change in light affects both wildlife and our own routines. Even a short walk in the early evening feels different from midwinter. The extra daylight makes it easier to spend time outside after work, even if temperatures are still low.
If you have listened to the February podcast, this is the stage I referred to as preparation. Paying attention to these smaller signs makes the transition into March easier to recognise and appreciate.
If you would like to follow the unfolding of early spring in more detail, the new Almanac subscription box is ideal. The March Almanac explores the first signs of spring in detail, seasonal folklore, and simple ways to record what you are noticing, along with recipes and craft projects. It is designed to accompany you through the month as these changes become more visible.