Beware the siren wake-up calls of an early spring

FOR the ancient Celts, the festival of Imbolc at the beginning of February marked the onset of spring. For Christians, it represents the feast day of Saint Brigid, one of three patron saints of Ireland. Whatever your persuasion, the sentiment is the same: a celebration of the world waking up.

My own personal Imbolc was marked by a robin, shuttling back and forth between a pile of leaf litter on the lawn and the rambling honeysuckle covering my outdoor loo (yes, forget levelling up, they still exist up north).

I had intended to trim it back this winter, but nest-building waits for no man. I shall have to put it off now until the robin’s chicks have hopefully fledged in the summer.

Signs of spring are suddenly everywhere. On the road next to mine a great clump of snowdrops has emerged from a patch of otherwise unremarkable urban scrub.

The flower itself is an emblem of the ancient Celtic celebration of spring. Indeed, there is even a variety of snowdrop called Galanthus ‘Imbolc’, known for a broad green V-shape at the apex of the flower. Two fingers up to winter, perhaps?

Frogs are livening up. A spawn map updated with reported sightings as they spread from the south-west up and across the UK now has frogspawn confirmed as far as Hampshire.

All of this is being ushered in by the weather, which is unseasonably warm. However, while the long-term forecast is uncertain, there is a chance of a cold snap. Such a sudden shift can prove disastrous for species emerging from winter slumbers.

This is the time of year to keep ponds ice free, bird feeders filled and leave untidy patches in gardens for creatures to build their nests and seek shelter.

Anything to help those bewitched by the siren calls of an early spring.

Sunset at Stonehenge on Thursday