February on the League Against Cruel Sports’ wildlife reserves

February is a confusing sort of month. On one hand, there is the promise that spring is on its way, with all the new life it brings, but on the other hand there remains the threat that at any moment we could slip back into winter. February is also the month when I was born, and it always reminds me of birthday treats cancelled due to bad weather. Luckily, February is shorter than other months and it will soon be replaced by a more joyful March.

On the positive side, days are getting longer, and when the sun breaks through the clouds it has a warmth to it that lifts your spirits. You can almost hear plants on the League’s wildlife reserves making a collective sigh of relief whenever the sun shines. They have been resting all winter, but now their sap is rising, and they are poised to break out. The red deer on the Baronsdown reserve certainly seem to enjoy the sunny moments too, as they bask on the fields contentedly digesting their latest meal.

On fine days, queen bumblebees venture out from their subterranean homes looking for a quick nectar fix. They have stored just enough energy to get themselves airborne, but they need to find flowers quickly to feed on. The same applies to butterflies, like peacocks, that have overwintered in sheds and outhouses. Everyone can help them by planting flowers that bloom early.

Frogs are busy in February, laying eggs in every available body of water on the wildlife reserves. As their Latin name (Rana temporaria) suggests, they often use temporary shallow pools to lay their eggs, which can prove disastrous if there is a hard frost or a dry spell. Another problem for frogs is the herons that appear miraculously, and the ubiquitous pheasants that have survived the shooting season and are now desperate for food.

Fresh piles of earth outside the badger setts on the wildlife reserves are a good indication that badgers have young below ground, where they will stay until finally emerging in May. If you see a dead badger by the roadside at this time of year, and if it’s safe to do so, it is a good idea to check whether it is a lactating female. If it is, you should contact your local badger group who might be able to locate the badger’s sett and save any cubs.