At this time of year, much of your garden may look barren and grey. But aside from the increase in birdsong you may have noticed in recent days, there’s one clear sign that spring is on its way—one that could start appearing as soon as now.

Although it will not be as obvious as the bright burst of daffodils shooting through the earth, there is a smaller paler flower that will signify warmer days in the future.

The humble snowdrop can start to bloom in early January but any dormant bulbs will begin to flourish by the end of this month until the end of March.

Galanthus nivalis would not flower until late February in the 1950s but during the past few decades the blankets of white have appeared earlier and earlier, sometimes not even waiting for the New Year.

For the country bumpkins, or anyone with a pond, frogspawn is the next best sign of spring’s arrival.

From the end of January until March, frogspawn will begin to appear. The true timeless bell weather for changing of the seasons is everyone’s favourite, birdsong. Especially at dawn, round about March birds will begin to sing again, but you may catch the odd riff from a tree before then.

Particularly skylarks, song thrushes, robins and blackbirds will begin twittering away in the mornings as they seek to attract mates and defend their territories.

Smaller birds such as wrens and warblers like to stay in bed until it’s a bit warmer. Part of the buttercup family, the lesser Caledine will begin to dot themselves around the edge of wooded areas from February to late April.

Spring will truly have arrived when you clap eyes on a queen bumblebee. When warmer temperatures wake up our fuzzy yellow and black friends, they will go looking for nectar to recharge from March to April before she lays her first brood of eggs.

Cheery blossom will kick in leaving puddles of petals along your streets, however these again can be earlier bloomers. Branches may begin to bloom as early as December if temperatures are off.

The true spring flush of pink should appear from April to May - anything before this may be false hope.

It is around this time that you’ll also be most likely to see carpets of blue of Britain’s ancient woodlands.

As light creeps into hedgerows once again, bluebells will appear across the countryside in early April and into May and can be traditionally found in woodlands, but can also be seen in hedgerow verges and parks.