7 signs of spring to look out for in Dorset

Here are seven signs to look for and the best places to spot them in Dorset. 

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1) Spring flowers

First to bloom in this category are the snowdrop and sweet violet, followed by celandine, primrose and daffodil. Later comes the tide of ramsons and bluebells.

Best place to spot them: From March 7, Kingston Lacy is showing off its collection of spring flowers to visitors, from daffodils and tulips to azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons.

2) Bumblebees

The variety of flowers on offer in spring inevitably attracts bees, which rely heavily on flower nectar in the early part of the season. You can spot bumblebees, honey bees and wild ‘solitary’ bees buzzing among gardens, meadows and wildflowers.

Best place to spot them: If you want to get up close and personal with many of the 24 varieties of bumblebee found in the UK, the best place to go is Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Kingcombe Meadows nature reserve in Toller Porcorum.

3) Butterflies

Spring sees the emergence of the early butterflies, whose colourful wings complement the spring flowers that are in bloom. The first to appear are the holly blue and brimstone. The latter can be seen dancing along the hedgerows in a blur of sulphur yellow on the first warm days of the season. Other early arrival butterfly species are the Red Admiral, the Peacock and the Small Tortoiseshell.

Best places to spot them: If you head over to Badbury Rings, Durlston Country Park, Moors Valley, or Upton Heath, you will have a good chance of spotting the spring butterflies.

4) Birds building nests

Another sure sign of spring is the sight of birds industriously building their nests in preparation for their newborn chicks. The influx of feathered arrivals starts with the rooks and chiff-chaffs, followed by the swallows, cuckoos, warblers and housemartins.

Best places to spot them: Christchurch Harbour is one of the best all-round birdwatching sites thanks to its multitude of habitats- muddy creeks, mudflats and marshland, as well as the migration hotspot, Hengistbury Head. From late March, masses of migratory northern wheatears and various warblers can be seen and little egrets are a familiar sight in the harbour.

Alternatively, you can join the RSPB for their Birds, Binoculars and Biscuits event at Upton Country Park on the second Thursday of each month until May 14. No booking is required and it costs £2 per person.

5) Lambs You know spring has truly arrived when you spot new-born lambs emerging in fields across the county. Along with fluffy chicks and hopping bunnies, lambs are one of the classic symbols of Easter.

Best places to spot them: If you want to catch a glimpse of them, head out for a country walk and you’re bound to see the familiar flecks of cotton wool in nearby fields.

However, if you want to get up close and personal with a lovely lamb, then you can always head to Farmer Palmers where mother ewes are giving birth to them as we speak.

6) Frogspawn 

The arrival of frogspawn in our ponds is a sure sign spring is on its way, and in warmer years our amorous amphibians have laid their eggs as early as January.

One clump of jelly-like frogspawn can contain up to 4000 eggs. The frogspawn develops into tadpoles at around 10 days. It can then take up to 14 weeks for the tiny tadpole to develop into a froglet that is ready to begin its journey outside the water.

Best place to spot them: If you're lucky enough to have one, your garden pond!

7) ‘Mad March hare’

A classic sign of spring that is less commonly witnessed is the so-called ‘mad March hare’. These normally shy and reclusive mammals can be seen ‘boxing’ in open fields throughout the mating season. Rather than competition between males, the behaviour is actually females fending off unwanted male attention.

The current number of hares in the UK is estimated to be around 800,000 - a quarter of which are in Dorset and the south west. Hares are nocturnal creatures and are usually seen early in the morning or in the evening.

Best places to spot them: The best hare hotspots are Cranborne Chase, the Purbeck Ridge, Kimmeridge and the south Dorset coast path.