KILDARE WILDLIFE WATCH: When do you think Spring begins - February or March
Nuala Madigan from the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore
While Ireland’s Gaelic calendar uses February as the start of spring according to Met Éireann, meteorologically we have another month before the arrival of spring on March 1.
There is evidence around our communities that winter is ending as the small white delicate flowers of snowdrops and the leaves of the other spring bulbs have emerged from beneath the surface.
Whether you consider February 1 or March 1 as the start of spring, over the next few months we can all expect the ‘spring wave’ from the south of Ireland to the north of the country.
What I mean is, as the southern counties are closer to the equator, combined with changing oceanic currents at this time of year, those living in the South will observe spring changes earlier than those living further north.
Wildlife changes to watch for in spring include the common frog beginning to gather and breed in freshwater ponds. Spring flowers will emerge — some to watch for include colt’s-foot, early dog-violet and wild garlic. Birds will begin to build nests and display courtship rituals and of course the buds will begin to burst open on trees.
You can become a citizen scientist at this time of year by submitting your frog records to the national Hop To It Frog Survey at www.ipcc.ie or take part in the Spring Flower Project a joint initiative between the BSBI and the National Biodiversity Data Centre at https://biodiversityireland.ie/spring-flowers-project-2022/.
While many plants and animals did hibernate for winter, there were also many that remained in our communities throughout including Ireland’s native hart’s-tongue (Creamh na muice fia as Gaeilge).
This is an example of an evergreen fern with long untoothed leaves that are heart shaped at the base. It grows in ditches, walls and hedgerows.
This week watch for the arrival of spring in your community and of course Hart’s tongue that has stayed with us all winter.
If you observe wildlife in your community and would like help identifying it or would like me to include your observation in an upcoming piece email your wildlife image to [email protected].