Despite the never-ending grey and rainy days of recent months,  spring is here, a welcome sight for those of us who are winter-worn. And Finemere Wood is just the place to be to observe the awakening of the wild.

Colour is returning. The cheerful, sunny yellows of primroses aplenty along the woodland rides, with brimstone butterflies fluttering past. Purple, tiny dog violets and brilliant white wood anemones, it is a feast for the eyes.

Buzzards mew as they soar overhead. Birds are singing throughout the wood, amongst them a chiffchaff, the first I have heard this year. A green woodpecker yaffles and a great spotted woodpecker drums.

It is the time of year to remove fences. Their job is done, shrubs and trees are now tall enough to thrive, and no longer require protection from deer. The window to do this is small, cutting back vegetation must stop now that birds will begin to nest.

The volunteers work at breakneck speed to dismantle as many fences as they can. It is hefty work, involving much brutal bramble tussling, and squelching in murky mud. There are grumblings as endless fencing panels are carried around the site, I gather this is not a favourite task.

The great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) makes its presence known as it hammers its beak against a trunk at lightning speed. In contrast to the melodious songs of other birds, drumming hard and loud is how this creature hopes to attract a mate. Both male and female will drum to defend their territory, choosing hard dead branches to create a deep resonating sound, and together the breeding pair will excavate a hole in a tree in which to make their nest.

Catching a glimpse of these handsome birds is far more challenging, as they conceal themselves so expertly in amongst the trees. A striking black and white, with a bright red lower belly patch, the male can be distinguished by the red cap on the back of his head. Eating larvae of wood-eating insects, nuts and seeds, Dendrocopos major can be tempted to the garden bird feeder.

Thankful I am to these spring delights of blooms, warbles and percussive excellence as they distract the woodland workers from the discomfort and tedium of lugging fencing materials back and forth. Dare I tell them it will be more of the same the next time we meet?

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