UK Nature and Environment

Blue skies and wall-to-wall sunshine are not something that are usually associated with Exmoor, a dark skies reserve where cloud normally obscures the sky, but the first half of this April was truly exceptional.

Sunshine lifts your spirits, even if it is tempered by chilly nights and a fresh breeze, and working outside in the sun on the League Against Cruel Sports wildlife reserves, serenaded by bird song and with little sound of human activity, is an absolute pleasure. The familiar song of blackbirds is now perforated by the trickling call of willow warblers and the enthusiastic ramblings of blackcaps, all sounding delighted that the breeding season has arrived. Although we have returned to the more familiar pattern of sunshine and showers, nothing can deter nature from throwing herself into spring with joyful exuberance.

Bluebells are the flower of the month and on the League’s wildlife reserves we are blessed with more than our fair share. Drifts of bluebells carpet the ancient woodland floors and spill out into the surrounding land in an explosion of deep blue. The UK has almost half of the world’s bluebells, and there is something distinctly British about our native version. Unlike their bold, but paler Spanish cousins, our bluebells hang their heads and nod to one side, as if slightly embarrassed about how fantastic they look.