Winter may be reluctant to release its grip but undeterred, the first hint of colour is beginning to peep through in discreet places.

At the end of last month, before the leaves opened, tiny pure white flowers of cherry plum heralded the onset of spring. The tree is sometimes confused with the later flowering blackthorn with its thorny twigs.

The gradual greening of bankside willows along Beverley brook in Richmond park is a sure sign that winter is running out of time.

This month, the beautiful golden male catkins of goat, commonly known as 'pussy willow'will adorn open land and hedgerows. Traditionally used to decorate churches on Palm Sunday, the pollen and nectar laden catkins provide a feast for early bees and other insects out of hibernation. Squirrels too love to eat them and sit high in the trees for hours on end.

At ground level, colourful crocuses, dandelions and lawn daisies are appearing. The title 'dandelion' is a corruption of the French 'dent de lion'or lion's teeth which the pointed lobes of the leaves resemble.

Colt's foot, a deep yellow flowering member of the daisy family so named as their leaves are hoof-shaped, grows on hillsides and disturbed ground. Flowers appear before the leaves so country folk call the plant 'son-before-father' Here again, any insects foolish enough to venture out this early welcome the supply of nectar.

Another early spring flower is the lesser celandine having glossy flowers of six to twelve petals. Growing in shady woodland and damp pondsides, it was much admired by William Wordsworth, the Lake District being a favoured location.