I like to think of the first day of spring as being March 1st as this conveniently slots the four seasons very neatly into quarters of the year, Spring being March to May. Although having said that I do take the Vernal Equinox as being the 'proper' start to the season and this is not until the 20th day of this month. Either way it may officially be spring but this won't necessarily mean it feels like it, I think nature has the last say in when spring really begins and this year there are only a few small signs that it has started to take place. Yes, I have got some snowdrops in flower but for me the full flush of spring is bright yellow daffodils in bloom on the road sides, catkins on the hazle trees and bluebells in the woods, the smell of grass that has started to grow green again and the sight of lambs in the fields, for me this is when I know spring has really sprung!
Ali