Spring out on the estates
With the changing of the clocks and, hopefully, an upward trend in temperatures this time of year sees the estate emerge from the somewhat bare days of winter to promise colour and new life.
Out and about across the estate, Kevan Gibbons, the Bateman's Ranger, notices the signs of spring on a daily basis at this time of year:
"What I love most about spring is the feeling of nature coming to life after being dormant over winter. The birds are starting to sing; primroses, celandines and blackthorn are starting to bloom and trees come into bud.
On the estate the bluebells are already in leaf, waiting to carpet our woodland shaws alongside the early purple orchids in May. In the next couple of months the meadows will be changing colour with masses of yellow dandelins followed by pink Lady's Smock (Cuckoo Flower) and white Cow Parsley. Oh, and of course the days get longer and warmer!"