Spring bursts onto the scene

On the first day of spring today an explosion of flowers and insects is predicted for the coming weeks - as warm, dry weather creates the ideal conditions for seasonal growth.

Animal and plant experts are hopeful that rain and frosts will hold off, sparing emerging plants and animals an early death and leaving the way for a vibrant March and April.

Jenny Schofield, conservation manager for the London Wildlife Trust, said: "We've got a very healthy spring on our hands. We've seen a few butterflies and bumble bees around already, particularly on the sunny days. Primroses and wood anemones are out at the moment and the birds are looking very busy foraging around for nesting materials.

"Sometimes spring gets a bit delayed by wet weather, or else things come out early and then we get a late frost which kills them off. Last year it was very wet, and it wasn't a particularly good year for butterflies."

The Met office is predicting unusually warm and dry weather in the next four weeks, with temperatures 1.3 degrees celcius lower than usual. A spokeswoman for the Royal Horticultural Society said: "Because it's been relatively frost free it looks very good."

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