Spring is in the air

Blue tits are easy to spot

As the days grow longer and the ground gets warmer, Crickley Hill bursts back to life. Everywhere you turn, you can spot woodland and grassland flowers making their welcomed seasonal appearance.

Spring on Crickley Hill is truly magical. Bluebells with their distinctive colour, wood anemone, Lords and Ladies and broad-leaved helleborine can all be found flowering in the woodland.

Birdwatching

The hill is alive with the chitter chatter of bird song. Birds start to defend their territories as they look for the perfect mate for the breeding season ahead. If you stand still you may be able to hear nuthatch, greater spotted woodpeckers and great tits.

Birds will also be busy collecting nesting material. Later in the season you may even spot them collecting food for their young.

Nuthatches are always on the look out for a tasty treat
Nuthatches are always on the look out for a tasty treat
Nuthatches are always on the look out for a tasty treat

The scarp and hill fort grassland

Breeding adders will be looking for quiet places so please keep to the paths to protect them from disturbance. From the paths, you can also spot the yellow flowers of the cowslip, rock rose and primrose.

Adders do not like to be disturbed
Adders do not like to be disturbed
Adders do not like to be disturbed

Canine companions

Spring is an important time of year for the wildlife on Crickley Hill. We want to keep it special by protecting nesting birds, delicate flowers and other wildlife so please keep your four-legged friend on a lead between March and August.