The noticeably longer days this month provide both impetus and extra opportunity to get out and about enjoying the wildlife around us. Whilst you’ll almost certainly still need to wrap up against the elements, February can be a wonderful time to connect with Mother Nature.
Whilst not considered truly native, with no records of them growing wild in the UK before the 18th century, snowdrops are, nevertheless, widely naturalised in many areas and are often the first wildflower of the year to flourish. Bringing a dash of brightness to dreary days, snowdrops are definitely one to look out for. Over the border in Yorkshire, it was once customary for village maidens to gather bunches of snowdrops and wear the flowers as a symbol of their purity on 2nd February, the traditional festival of Candlemas – the feast of the Virgin Mary.
Another relative newcomer to look out for are crocuses. With their delightful pinky-purple petals, bright yellow stamens and vibrant orange stigmas, crocuses really do bring a splash of colour. The stigmas of some varieties are also harvested as the spice saffron, often said to be more valuable by weight than gold – and the lift these and other early flowers provide for our souls before spring arrives is worth its weight in gold.
Whilst the autumn crocus – crocus nudiflorous, is Nottinghamshire’s county flower, together with the spring crocus – crocus vernus – the two varieties are known as the Nottingham Crocus – with a history stretching back centuries and giving rise to the City’s Crocus Street. The spread of the crocus across the UK is said to be linked with traditional routes between priories where Cluniac monks grew them for their medicinal and culinary value.
Another early flower to keep an eye out for is the native primrose, with its distinctive creamy yellow flowers. The flowers’ common name is derived from the Latin for ‘prima rosa’, or ‘first rose’ – relating to its early spring flowering. Look out for these pretty flowers in woodlands, grasslands and hedgerows.
These and other early flowers provide a lifeline for insects such as queen bumblebees when they emerge from their winter torpor to seek out new nest sites and butterflies species such as the brimstone and peacock which over-winter as adults in frost free spaces such as sheds before making their first forays in search of nectar in February.
As well as looking out for wildlife in your garden, local parks and the wider countryside, why not seek out one of the dozens of nature reserves across the county cared for by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust?
With sites ranging from ancient woodlands little changed since the time of the Domesday Book such as Treswell Wood, to vast wetlands such as Idle Valley Nature Reserve – where we also have a welcoming cafe and shop – there really is something for everyone. And, with so many sites across the county, most people live just a few miles from their nearest Trust reserve. For further details visit www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves.
Image: Matt Berry