Late Winter

Birds

Resident species flock up with large congregations of waterbirds on the Washes and other open water. In the woodlands, gardens there are roving flocks of small birds like tits and finches searching for food while farmland fields will support flocks of Larks, Buntings and Thrushes.

Plants

After the nearly imperceptible creep of lengthening days start to increase in February so does the activity in the plant world. Snowdrops are joined by aconites (or aconytes) and crocuses in front gardens and trees start to develop a fuzzy look as bare twigs start to prepare for the formation of leaf buds. Look out across the farmed fen as wildfowl start to see the green shoots of winter wheat and barley as viable food in this baron period

Insects

Many insects hibernate or lie dormant throughout the winter months. Some will have found a sheltered spot in bark, under leaves, rocks, in walls or inside our garges, sheds and homes. Others will be snug within a cocoons or crysalis ready to emerge changed from larvae to adult as the days warm in spring. With less extremes of winter temperature there is still time to put out a pile of wood or bundle up some sticks in the garden to provide a place for the last insects of the summer to seek some shelter until the spring

Mammals

The open scenery unobscured by reeds, bushes or trees in leaf, make spotting any mammals easier than at any other season of the year. Take a walk early in the morning, or just at dusk and you may lucky enough to see Deer, Hare or even Weasels. The latter does not hibernate and has even been known to hunt when there is a layer of snow on the ground. A weasel is 'weasily' recognized whereas a stoat is 'stotally' different (excuse us it's the Christmas Cheer). Look out for the black tail, a good sign that you've seen a stoat

Winter Ramble

A classic Ely walk at anytime of the year starts in the town centre and incorporates City of Ely Cemetery, Roswell Pits, Kiln Lane Water Meadows, Waterside, Pocket Park and Cherry Hill Park. The beauty of this 4km (2.5mile) walk is that there is lots of diversity and you're never too far from a cup of hot chocolate or toasted teacake