In spite of chilly temperatures, Spring in the northern hemisphere officially starts on 20th March, so we have prepared a new gallery of Spring images.

Birds are singing to attract mates and some species such as mistle thrushes and rooks are already actively nesting, woodland flowers bloom early to take advantage of the light available before the canopy closes, and insects are starting to emerge from hibernation, including early butterflies such as brimstones and orange-tips and various species of bumblebee, which feed on the pollen of early flowers such as willow catkins. Meanwhile frogs and toads return to breeding ponds to spawn, brown hares are active as males pursue females who fend them off by engaging in ^boxing matches^, and wild boar piglets are born. Spring migrant birds start to arrive in Europe from Africa, with sand martins, wheatears, chiffchaffs and willow warblers in the vanguard.

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