Spring finally begins to show in Leicestershire – three weeks late
Signs of spring are finally starting to appear after Leicestershire's coldest winter for 25 years.
The season is three weeks' late according to wildlife experts, gardeners, farmers and weather forecasters.
At Rutland Water Nature Reserve bird watchers are still waiting for their first glimpse of spring migrants.
Tim Appleton, reserve manager, said: "We would expect to see our first chiff chaffs, sand martins or swallows by now – but nothing.
"Normally, the insects hatch first around the wetlands but the cold has made it difficult.
"That's when we start to see the first amphibians, such as frogs and newts, but there's no sign of them.
"With freezing temperatures in France and even snow in Barcelona this week, the migrating birds are staying put."
Graeme Matravers of Manor Farm, Long Whatton, near Loughborough, said: "We have 10 newborn lambs, with 220 ewes still to give birth.
"They are still inside because of the cold and, besides, there's no grass growing for the sheep to eat.
"Daffodils are nowhere to be seen on the farm and I couldn't show you a single hawthorn."
Kim Riley, of Twycross Zoo, said even chimps are confused by the weather. She said: "The chimps and orangutans are venturing outside to enjoy the sun only to be greeted by the chill. They're fetching their bedding and bringing it outside – it's a peculiar sight."
Gardener Ailsa Jackson of Shellbrook, near Ashby, had to postpone several open days for the annual display of snowdrops in her garden because of the cold.
She said: "They are finally out but were very late this year.
"Just a few weeks ago the garden was covered in snow."
Leicester Mercury weather forecaster Dave Mutton said: "Spring is three weeks behind because of the severe winter we've had.
"It's certainly the coldest since 1985/86, with the temperature as low as minus 9C on January 8."
At this time of year, said Mr Mutton, average daytime temperatures are 10C which is needed for flowers to bloom. Over the past week the average has been 6C.
He added: "However, there is good news around the corner with temperatures expected to shoot up to about 15C by the end of next week."
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