Spring has sprung, and the beauty of nature in our home areas is more important than ever this year during the restrictions of lockdown. Readers and staff have shared their photos and thoughts.

Eastern Daily Press: Rachel Couch, learning resource assistant at One Sixth Form College in Ipswich, took this photo during her daily walk with her partner.Picture: RACHEL COUCHRachel Couch, learning resource assistant at One Sixth Form College in Ipswich, took this photo during her daily walk with her partner.Picture: RACHEL COUCH (Image: Rachel Couch)

The arrival of spring is usually the signal to get out of your house and explore the countryside.

This year, it’s all so different, as, due to the coronavirus crisis, we are all being advised to stay at home as much as possible.

Eastern Daily Press: Elsie the dog with daffodils in Hoveton. Picture: CHEYANNE LOWTHERElsie the dog with daffodils in Hoveton. Picture: CHEYANNE LOWTHER (Image: Cheyanne Lowther)

But, even so, we can all take inspiration from the BBC’s Springwatch. As the show says on its Facebook page: ”Nature is still open!”

The show, which has several times been based at locations in Norfolk and Suffolk, has always encouraged us all to discover nature on our own doorsteps. And spring 2020 is a time to do just that, more than ever.

Eastern Daily Press: One Sixth Form College student Amelia Throp took this picture as part of a photography challenge Picture: AMELIA THROPOne Sixth Form College student Amelia Throp took this picture as part of a photography challenge Picture: AMELIA THROP (Image: Amela Throp)

Of course, all those with gardens are especially lucky, since they can become real havens of wildlife.

This year’s Big Garden Birdwatch, organised by the RSPB, emphasised the range of garden birds which may visit, including long-tailed tits, wrens, and coal tits, which have all ben helped the milder winter.

Eastern Daily Press: Flowers in the Rosary Cemetery at Thorpe Hamle. Picture: CAROLINE CLARKEFlowers in the Rosary Cemetery at Thorpe Hamle. Picture: CAROLINE CLARKE (Image: Caroline Clarke)

MORE - Sparrows on top in race for space on garden feedersSarah Thomas, from Sudbury, has recently spotted a couple of ducks in her garden, as well as a more unusual visitor. She said: “We had a couple of feathered friends pop by on Sunday! And on Saturday night we saw a hedgehog in the garden , something I’ve haven’t seen in over 10 years!”

Garden trees and flowers also bring endless pleasure, and watching blossom and daffodils appear has been a welcome distraction for many.

Eastern Daily Press: Suffolk Rural schools liaison officer Adele Wyse took this photo on her daily walks. Picture: ADELE WYSESuffolk Rural schools liaison officer Adele Wyse took this photo on her daily walks. Picture: ADELE WYSE (Image: Adele Wyse)

Ann Harvey and her husband in Catfield are enjoying their garden flowers during the lockdown. She said: “Our garden is a life saver.”

And Sarah Barber in Ipswich enjoys admiring all blossom on the plum tree in her back garden, as well as watching her wildlife pond.

Eastern Daily Press: Ann Harvey spotted this butterfly in her garden in Catfield Picture: ANN HARVEYAnn Harvey spotted this butterfly in her garden in Catfield Picture: ANN HARVEY (Image: ANN HARVEY)

Of course, we are still being encouraged to take daily exercise by going for walks, runs or cycle rides in our local areas, and many people have spotted a range of wildlife along the way.

In the Ipswich area, Philip Warren got a surprise when he noticed a male hooded merganser duck on the River Gipping near his home. He said: “The duck, native to South America, was spotted in Christchurch Park earlier this year, and we didn’t see him at the time, so it was nice to see him so close to home.”

Eastern Daily Press: Butterflies in Benhall near Saxmundham Picture: GEMMA JARVISButterflies in Benhall near Saxmundham Picture: GEMMA JARVIS (Image: Archant)

Julie Bremner, from Norwich, said: “I don’t have a garden so I walked to a small woodland area near Anglian Water in Dereham Road and took some photos. I did take my rainbow umbrella, which brightened things up!”

Cheyanne Lowther enjoys taking her dog for a daily walk in the local area.

Eastern Daily Press: Philip Warren spotted a hooded merganser duck on the River Gipping in Ipswich Picture: Philip WarrenPhilip Warren spotted a hooded merganser duck on the River Gipping in Ipswich Picture: Philip Warren (Image: Philip Warren)

She writes: “My dog is called Elsie and she’s a Pomachon (half a Pomeranian and Bichon Frise), she’s four years old and is such a character. She absolutely loves going for walks, especially to the beach. But also up some of the lovely lanes we have around Hoveton. She’s always sniffing the flowers.”

MORE - 8 ways to cope with coronavirus anxiety Spring is also providing inspiration for learning at home.

Eastern Daily Press: A rainbow umbrella adding colour in a woodland area in Dereham Road, Norwich Picture: JULIE BREMNERA rainbow umbrella adding colour in a woodland area in Dereham Road, Norwich Picture: JULIE BREMNER (Image: Julie Bremner)

Media teacher at One Sixth Form College in Ipswich Alastair Bartlett said, “We’re doing a daily photography challenge to keep students engaged creatively, as well as academically.

“It’s really important to give students focus, not only for their learning, but also their wellbeing. We’ve had lots of great responses and are going to continue the challenge as a weekly project after Easter.”

Eastern Daily Press: A magnolia tree in Laura Cutter's Sudbury garden Picture: LAURA CUTTERA magnolia tree in Laura Cutter's Sudbury garden Picture: LAURA CUTTER (Image: Laura Cutter)

Our local wildlife trusts have also been encouraging everyone to enjoy wildlife close to home. Norfolk Wildlife Trust posted on Facebook: “Many of us are relying on our gardens for fresh air, wildlife and mental wellbeing at the moment. In addition, collectively our gardens can provide important places, homes and food sources for butterflies and moths.”

The Wildlife Trusts and the RHS have together set up a Wild About Gardens website with wildlife gardening ideas which are especially geared to helping butterflies, but also hedgehogs, birds and more.

Eastern Daily Press: Beautiful spring flowers at Haughley Park Picture: HAUGHLEY PARKBeautiful spring flowers at Haughley Park Picture: HAUGHLEY PARK (Image: Haughley Park)

Eastern Daily Press: Billy Smith, a student at One Sixth Form College in Ipswich, took this picture for a photography challenge Picture: BILLY SMITHBilly Smith, a student at One Sixth Form College in Ipswich, took this picture for a photography challenge Picture: BILLY SMITH (Image: Billy Smith)

Eastern Daily Press: Glorious spring flowers at Haughley Park Picture: HAUGHLEY PARKGlorious spring flowers at Haughley Park Picture: HAUGHLEY PARK (Image: Haughley Park)

Eastern Daily Press: This snail visited Melissa Burton's patio in Sparham Picture: MELISSA BURTONThis snail visited Melissa Burton's patio in Sparham Picture: MELISSA BURTON (Image: Melissa Burton)

Eastern Daily Press: This spring photo at Thetford Arboretum was taken earlier this year, before lockdown Picture: MYRA SANDIFERThis spring photo at Thetford Arboretum was taken earlier this year, before lockdown Picture: MYRA SANDIFER (Image: Myra Sandifer)

Eastern Daily Press: Colourful narcissi in Leiston Picture: NICKY CORBETTColourful narcissi in Leiston Picture: NICKY CORBETT (Image: Nicky Corbett)

Eastern Daily Press: A plum tree in full bloom in Sarah Barber's back garden in Ipswich Picture: SARAH BARBERA plum tree in full bloom in Sarah Barber's back garden in Ipswich Picture: SARAH BARBER (Image: Sarah Barber)

Eastern Daily Press: Two ducks in Sarah Thomas's garden in Sudbury Picture: SARAH THOMASTwo ducks in Sarah Thomas's garden in Sudbury Picture: SARAH THOMAS (Image: Sarah Thomas)