ON March 20, the day before the first day of spring, I travelled from Clitheroe to Manchester on the train.

Railway routes have long been regarded as wildlife corridors, almost from the day most of the tracks opened for business in the 1850s.

Many a railway journey can be made less tedious by doing a spot of nature watching on the way. It almost, but not quite, makes delays bearable.

The fauna and flora on the embankments are often less disturbed than in areas frequented by walkers.

I saw a fox and a brown hare before reaching Blackburn and this was a sure sign that these mammals realise that they can be safe providing they do not cross the line.

As we now move into spring, the grass is greener and the embankment is an ideal habitat for coltsfoot, primrose and gorse. Yellow is certainly the colour typical of spring.

Pussy willow and hazel catkins were also well in evidence and I found them right in the heart of Manchester city centre.