Wind in the sallows.

The greening of streamside weeping willows; wild flowers and blossom; the first butterfly on a sunny morning (my first sighting was of a small tortoiseshell on March, 22) spawning frogs toads and coarse fish are all a declaration, indeed a colourful symphony of spring's vibrant awakening.

Pink and white cherry plum; massed hedgerows of blackthorn (sloe) are attractive and useful nectar sources for bees and butterflies.The spectacular flowers of magnolia are magnificent but sadly those striking blooms are so fleeting, especially after a frost or high wind and may only last a few days before carpeting the ground beneath in fading petals.

A classic symbol of spring is of course goat ( great sallow) or to call it by its more familiar title 'pussy willow' (pictured). The golden yellow silky male catkins with less showy female catkins on separate trees are traditionally cut to decorate churches  at Easter time and many people also use them at home.

At a time when spring may not be at its warmest or brightest pussy willow catkins provide copious quantities of nectar and pollen and on a sunny day, the trees positively hum as bees take advantage of the bounty. Wind and bees pollinate the trees.

One slightly strange sight that I've witnessed on occasions is that of grey squirrels sitting for long periods on the uppermost branches to nibble away at the catkins which clearly offer much nourishment for them as well as bees.