Spring Is Here!

From the unrolling of bluebell carpets to the dawn chorus of birdsong, migrant birds returning to babies being born - spring is the time for new beginnings. You can feel it in the air.

But you can also see, hear and smell it if you know where to look.

Bluebells

From mid-April onwards, bluebells set our woodlands ablaze with their bright blue flowers. The UK is home to more than half the world’s population of bluebells, making it our unofficial national flower. The presence of native bluebells, (as opposed to their Spanish cousins sold in garden centres) is a sure sign you are in a very old and special woodland.

Where to see bluebells

Warburton’s Wood, Kingsley

Poors Wood, Northwich

Pumphouse Wood, Northwich

Owley Wood, Weaverham

Swettenham Valley, Holmes Chapel

Eastwood Nature Reserve, Stalybridge

Patrick's Wood, Wirral

Wildflower meadows

Whether it's a blaze of yellow from meadow buttercups, the buzz of grasshoppers and crickets or the amazing perfume given off by the combination of flower – the colours, sounds and smells of a wildflower meadow are truly something to experience.

It then makes it a terrible fact that in Cheshire we've lost 99% of our special wildflower meadows since the 1960s. But there are still special places you can go to experience them.

Where to see wildflower meadows

Swettenham Valley, Holmes Chapel

Bickley Hall Farm, Malpas

Migratory birds

Whether it be flying from the south to breed in spring or simply passing through on their journey, bird migration is one of the UK’s most impressive natural events. You can witness the comings and goings of flocks over the year, while remembering to look out for those preferring to fly solo.

In spring cuckoos fly from Africa, swallows fly from Africa, Arabia or India and chiffchaffs fly from Africa or the Mediterranean. Choosing to spend their winters in warmer climates, these birds all return to the UK for breeding.

Where to see migratory birds

Red Rocks, Wirral

Eastwood Nature Reserve, Stalybridge

Bickley Hall Farm, Malpas

Marbury Reedbed, Northwich

Gowy Meadows, Ellesmere Port

Celebrate spring at an event near you

Whilst wildlife spotting on your own is fabulous, if you ever fancy an escape from the day-to-day and to learn a little more, we have lots of events to help you connect with wildlife. Learning birdsong at our ID walk, taking a bluebell walk or seeing the spring migrants that have arrived - we have some great events for everybody.

Take a look to see what sparks your interest.