Following the seasons

Most people know that bluebells herald the spring, swallows and swifts only stay with us for the summer, autumn brings the wild geese south from the Arctic, and winter turns the mountain hares white as snow. But there are many lesser-known species whose lives are governed by the seasons, and once you tune in to the times of their arrivals and departures every visit to the countryside becomes more exciting. Will the first wood warbler be singing? Might we find a lizard basking in the sun? Have the red deer come down from the mountains to find food now the snow is back on the hills?

Some species are true migrants, coming to stay here from other parts of the world for just part of the year. Other species may stay here all year round but hibernate over winter. Plants of course all have their own blooming times, when an insignificant bunch of leaves becomes a beautiful orchid, or a mossy cushion is sprinkled with tiny thyme flowers.

We've divided the year into the four seasons - winter, spring, summer and autumn, and listed the species to especially look out for at these times. It's hard to pinpoint exact times, as plants and animals follow the weather as much as the calendar, so if it's early or late in a season it's worth checking the next season too.