What to spot in winter

What’s moving and growing?

Even though winter is upon us, there’s still plenty of wildlife about in our parks and gardens, if you know what to look for!

Keep your eyes peeled for these signs of life over the coming months...

December

WHO’S MOVING: Starlings, flying together in huge murmurations (the best time to spot them is on cold, still, clear evenings)

WHAT’S GROWING: Evergreen trees like holly and yew, with glossy green leaves (though most of their bright red berries will have been eaten by birds by now!)

January

WHO’S MOVING: Grey squirrels, chasing each other noisily through the trees (it’s courtship season so they are especially active at this time of year)

WHAT’S GROWING: Snowdrops, peeping out from the frosty ground (they don’t mind the cold weather – it helps them flower for longer!)

February

WHO’S MOVING: Frogs, heading to their breeding grounds (you might even spot some early frogspawn)

WHAT’S GROWING: Hazel catkins, also called ‘lamb’s tails’ (look out for the tiny, red female flowers that grow above the larger, yellow male flowers on the catkin)