Each of the seasons brings with it its own flavour, each offering something to delight and enthral, from the regrowth and birth of spring, to the wildflowers and fullness of summer, to the fantastic colours and scents of autumn, to the crispness and structural magnificence of winter. Spring The gradual increase in temperature and the almost imperceptible lengthening of the days trigger a great deal of activity, with buds bursting on the trees, plants flowering and birds claiming their territories. The dramatic increase in the insect numbers encourages birds to begin their breeding cycle and resident birds are soon to be joined by migrants. There is an expectation in the air that nature is finally shaking off the blanket of winter. This is a wonderful time of year to explore the countryside and marvel at nature's regeneration and drive to reproduce and renew. It is a time of stunning blossom and woodland flowers, which need to take advantage of the open canopy to flower and set seed before the canopy closes over, denying them warmth and light for another year. With the flowers come the bees and the insects and the butterflies, for whom the early flowers are crucial to their survival. And it is a time when the first offspring get to see their new world. Summer When spring gives way to summer is hard to determine and is certainly not dictated by man's need to regulate the seasons. The woodland wild flowers have had their day as they have had to flower and set seed before the dense canopy closes over, denying them the heat and light that they require to thrive. The views of the landscape are full of lush green meadows, burgeoning farm crops, plump copses and woodland and long green hedgerows, all bursting with life and giving that appearance that is quintessentially the English countryside. And with the summer, the countryside really comes to life, with crop harvesting and hay-making (an important activity to provide food for livestock in the later months) and showing itself off at country shows and fairs up and down the country. Autumn The evenings are drawing in and there is a chill to the night air. The mornings are covered in dew and everywhere there is the feeling of something coming to an end. Wildlife is well aware that this is the time that food must be stored in preparation for winter. To many creatures this is an extremely strong instinctive act, as an inadequate supply will mean certain death. In response to this urge nature provides an abundance of fruit and berries - one of the many reasons why our hedgerows are of such vital importance. The colour of the withering leaves is nature's most spectacular display since spring, a display that it would be a disappointment to miss. Autumn is also the time of year for fungi, many varieties of which will be found in woodland where they live in partnership with specific trees. However, unless very confident of your ability to identify the different species, it is best just to look and enjoy their discovery. Autumn is the time of fruits and berries, as nature provides for the long winter to come. Winter The variety of weather during the winter months is as great as at any other time of the year, ranging from damp and misty, to cold and bright, to deep snow. Most plant life is at a standstill, but beneath the ground wild flowers are already stirring with new life. Far from being a 'dead' season, there are signs of the coming spring, especially in the shape of the buds which adorn many of the trees. And it is in the very depths of winter that the first hazel flowers begin to appear. Winter can be a great time to visit local woods, where the structural magnificence of trees, no longer hidden behind a cloak of leaves, is one of the highlights of the season. So, whatever the season and whatever the weather (remember the old saying that there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing), take every opportunity to get those boots on and explore your local woodland, downland, lakeside, park or green space. We live in a beautiful part of the world and you never know what you might encounter.
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AuthorDespite being raised in London I have been a lover of the countryside all my life. Over the past few years I have been priviledged to be able to work as a countryside management volunteer, picking up new skills and knowledge along the way and seeing the countryside in a way I never had before. The Urban Countryman is my personal view of that countryside, the seasons and the work that goes on to protect and manage this wonderful environment. Archives
January 2019
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