Spring on the Path: Wildflowers, Lambs and Ground-Nesting Birds
Spring brings bluebells, lambing fields and nesting birds to British paths. Here is how to enjoy them while keeping disturbance to a minimum.
There is a particular quality to a spring walk in Britain. The light is longer, the verges fill with flowers and the air carries the sound of birdsong from before you can see the singer. It is also one of the most delicate times of year for wildlife and farming, so a little knowledge goes a long way. Here is what to look for and how to move through the landscape gently.
The first flowers
In early spring, lesser celandine and wood anemone appear along woodland edges and hedge bottoms, often before the trees are in full leaf. They take advantage of the light that reaches the ground before the canopy closes. Primroses brighten banks and lanes, and by April and May bluebells can carpet older woodland. English bluebells are a woodland plant, so they are a good indicator of ancient or long-established woods.
If you want to enjoy them without harm, stay on the path. Trampling bluebell leaves can damage the bulbs, and they take years to recover. Picking wild flowers is best avoided altogether, and in the case of some protected species it can be an offence.
Lambing and calving season
In many upland and lowland areas, lambing takes place in spring, and fields beside paths may hold ewes with very young lambs. Cattle with calves can also be protective. A few simple habits help:
- Keep dogs on a short lead around livestock and never let them chase or worry animals.
- Walk quietly and keep a respectful distance from ewes with lambs and cows with calves.
- Use the path rather than cutting across a field to avoid a group of animals.
- Close gates behind you unless a sign says otherwise.
If cattle approach you and you feel threatened, let go of the lead and move calmly to safety. A dog can usually look after itself better than you can. Our guide to the Countryside Code on the footpath goes through gates, livestock and dogs in more detail.
Ground-nesting birds
Spring is the busiest nesting season, and some of the birds most affected nest on the ground. Skylarks, lapwings, curlews, meadow pipits and ringed plovers all nest in open habitats such as moorland, farmland and shingle beaches. Their nests are small, well camouflaged and easy to step on or disturb without knowing.
On open access land in England, dogs must be on a short lead, no longer than two metres, between 1 March and 31 July to protect ground-nesting birds, and at all times near livestock. Many coastal sites and nature reserves also ask for dogs to be kept on leads or out of certain areas in the breeding season. Signs are posted for a reason, so follow them.
If you see a bird behaving oddly, such as flapping as if injured or calling anxiously over a spot, you may be near a nest. Back away quietly and take a different line.
Listening to the dawn chorus
One of spring's great pleasures costs nothing. Rise early, ideally an hour or so before sunrise in late April or May, and listen as the chorus builds. Robins and blackbirds often start first, followed by wrens, thrushes and warblers. A free bird-song identification app can help you learn the voices, but even simply listening is rewarding.
Insects, amphibians and wet places
Ponds and ditches may hold frogspawn in March. Look from the edge and avoid touching it. Early butterflies such as brimstones and orange-tips appear on warm days, often near hedgerows and woodland rides. Hedgerows are especially valuable, because they offer food, shelter and nesting sites in a landscape that is otherwise open.
A light-touch approach
The golden rule is to leave things as you found them and to give animals space. Take a camera or binoculars instead of a trowel or bag. Stay on marked paths in sensitive areas, and if you plan a trip to a national park or nature reserve, check local guidance first. Our overview of visiting a national park in England and Wales has more on how protected areas ask visitors to behave.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pick bluebells or other wild flowers? It is best not to. Some wild plants are protected by law, and bluebells in particular are damaged by trampling and picking. Take a photograph instead.
Why are dogs asked to be on leads in spring? Ground-nesting birds and young livestock are especially vulnerable to disturbance. A short lead reduces the risk of stress, injury and abandoned nests.
What should I do if I find a lone lamb or fledgling? Usually, nothing. Parents are often nearby. Leave the animal where it is and move away. If it is clearly injured, contact a local vet or wildlife rescue for advice.