With the grace of an elephant on roller-skates, it trundles from the gaping cavern and out of hibernation. Like a bristling sack of black potatoes, it doesn’t look capable of flight, but sure enough, in the sanctuary of spring sunlight, its laced wings whir, and like a biological blimp, it takes gingerly to the skies. Red-tailed bumblebee queens arise early in the year, scouting potential locations to start a colony.

Slow worms, having slept out the dark days, slip groggily from the compost heaps, their waxy sheds dotting the undersides of logs.

High above, a piercing chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff heralds spring, the flitting lemon of leaf warblers visible through an anticipated budburst. After a stagnant start, spring erupts in a shower of blossom.

Hedgerows illuminate through the dead winter colours with the vivid white of hawthorn, blackthorn and cherry plum blossom. A clumsy assemblage of solitary wasps and bees form a buzzing, chuntering line of defence.

Inside the barricade, nesting preparations begin. With the surge of fresh, rich shoots come a surge of caterpillars. Blue tits take to the oaks to glean them for young. House sparrows mob the bird feeders and harass woodpigeons for loose feathers. And high above, the ear-splitting alarm of bright days sound swifts, diving, rolling, and plunging down invisible, aerial racetracks.

Slimming into their summer coats, the freshened-up fox pair begin den preparations. At the sound of the chiff-chaff, they change. The evolutionary race resumes, and they slink back to their sly, secretive wild habits. The only betrayal of their presence is the unease you might catch in the eyes of the blackbirds.

Harry Munt (Wicor Garden Volunteer and Wildlife Conservationist) 

Harry volunteers at Wicor Primary School helping manage the grounds for wildlife. Harry started his own House Sparrow project in building nest boxes. Harry is a trainee ecologist and has a passion for nature conservation. He is also a Wilder Communications Champion. 

Find out more about our Wilder Communications Champion