Early Spring Nature Study ~ How to Keep a Calendar of Firsts

It might still feel like winter, but if you look closely, you’ll notice that nature is already waking up.

Here in Ireland, February is actually the first month of spring, and you can see it in the small but unmistakable changes – tiny green shoots pushing up through the soil, birds singing more boldly in the mornings, and the first frogspawn appearing in ponds.

I remember the first time we spotted frogspawn in our pond.

It was Valentine’s Day, which we found very funny. It was as if the frogs had all gathered for a big romantic party.

Since then, we’ve been marking the date every year, and what’s interesting is that it keeps getting earlier. This year, we found the first frogspawn on January 15th. It’s a little reminder of how seasons shift over time, sometimes in ways we don’t even notice unless we’re paying attention.

Wherever you are, the seasons are shifting too.

Maybe you’re still deep in winter, or maybe you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, moving toward autumn instead of spring. But no matter where you are, this is the perfect time to start noticing the changes.

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The “Calendar of Firsts“ for your spring nature study

One of my favourite ways to track the seasons is by keeping a Calendar of Firsts. It’s simple, you just jot down the first time you notice seasonal changes each year. The first snowdrop, the first hazel catkins. The first time you hear birdsong early in the morning. Over time, it becomes a kind of personal nature almanac, showing patterns you might not have noticed otherwise.

The idea of a Calendar of Firsts comes from Charlotte Mason, who encouraged children (and adults!) to take notice of these little seasonal shifts. She wrote:

It is a capital plan for the children to keep a calendar––the first oak-leaf, the first tadpole, the first cowslip, the first catkin, the first ripe blackberries, where seen, and when. The next year they will know when and where to look out for their favourites, and will, every year, be in a condition to add new observations. Think of the zest and interest, the object, which such a practice will give to daily walks and little excursions. There is hardly a day when some friend may not be expected to hold a first ‘At Home.’

~ Charlotte Mason, Vol. 1 p. 54

For example, with our frogspawn, I never would have realized how much earlier it was appearing if I hadn’t been writing it down. And the more you track, the more connected you feel to the rhythm of nature. It’s like a conversation with the seasons, where you start to anticipate what’s coming next.

If this sounds like something you’d like to try, here’s a little challenge: go outside every day for a week and make a note of one thing that feels like a sign of the changing season. It could be a flower, a bird, the way the light changes – anything that catches your attention. You can mark these observations in your regular calendar, as a note or a little drawing.

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Nature Journalling Ideas for Early Spring

If you enjoy keeping a nature journal, you can document these first signs of spring in more detailed ways than just a calendar. Here are a few ideas:

• Seasonal Lists – Keep a bird list, flower list, or weather observations throughout the spring. Each time you spot a new species or a seasonal change, add it to your journal. Over time, you’ll build up a picture of what’s happening in nature around you.
• The “Colours of the Year” Wheel – This idea comes from Clare Walker Leslie, who suggests painting a simple colour wheel to track the shifting colours of the seasons. In early spring, you might see a lot of soft greens, yellows and browns—later in the year, the palette will change completely.
• Quick Sketches & Watercolour Studies – You don’t have to be an artist to add small sketches of leaves, buds, or birds you see. Even a simple pencil sketch or a splash of colour can capture the moment.
• Poetry & Reflections – If drawing isn’t your thing, try jotting down a short reflection, a poem, or a description of how the day feels. How does the air smell? What sounds do you hear? What changes do you notice?

Journalling these moments is a beautiful way to slow down and really see the world around you. And if you do this year after year, you’ll start to recognize patterns – when the first flowers bloom, when the swallows return, when the days start to feel longer.

Spring Nature Study – Pin it For Later

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Spring nature study really doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s just about noticing things. You can start a Calendar of Firsts, a nature journal, or simply step outside with fresh eyes. These small moments of attention connect us to the world in a deeper way.

So, I’d love to hear from you – what’s the first sign of spring you’ve noticed this year? Let me know in the comments, and if you’re keeping a Calendar of Firsts or a nature journal, I’d love to know what you’re tracking.