Spring wildlife at The Weir

A clump of jelly-like frogspawn

Swathes of daffodils and clumps of woodland crocus produce enough nectar to encourage early-rising bees from hibernation. As the season progresses, more wildlife is attracted to the vast number of flowers, herbs, shrubs and trees which sit along the River Wye.

Keep your eyes peeled as you walk the winding paths of the garden as baby rabbits and mice dart around, blink and you’ll miss them. Down the far end of the garden the aroma of wild garlic fills the air and look up to see the rook colony; you’ll hear them before you see them.

Spot and smell wild garlic in the garden in spring
A close up of wild garlic
Spot and smell wild garlic in the garden in spring

Take a look over the wall at the waterfowl on the river. Lots of mute swans visit The Weir, thirty were once counted in one spot but you’d be very lucky to see that many. Mallards, goosanders and tufted ducks are just some of the species you can see passing by on the river. In the trees, keep your eyes peeled for jays, woodpeckers and songbirds, seventy species of bird have been recorded here so you’re bound to see a few.

Take a trip to the bird hide and see what you can spot from there also. 
As you head to the rockery keep your eyes peeled for frogspawn in early spring followed by froglets and newts; we have both the common newt and the great crested too, which is a protected species in the UK.

We often get very large flocks of mute swans at The Weir
Swans on the river Wye
We often get very large flocks of mute swans at The Weir


Butterflies begin visiting the garden around late March, hunger for nectar after a long hibernation. The riverside garden attracts many species of bee and butterflies as wildflowers and meadow grass are left to grow, these are invaluable food sources. The more-formally planted walled garden provides herbs such as chive plants, lavender and rosemary as well as hundreds of tulip plants in May. 

A close up of a bee on a chive flower


The Weir Garden is the perfect spot for a wildlife walk this spring with all the sights and song from nature, it’s sure to lift your spirits.