Spring isn't quite sprung but we do have springtails out and about on our plots. You have to be sharp eyed to see them as they're not much bigger than a grain of rice. Above is a springtail from the family Entomobryidae (probably Entomobrya multifasciata). You can tell how small it is by how it is dwarfed by pieces of bark and grains of sand. Springtails get their name from a lever-like appendage on their tails which when used propels them at great speed and distance (in comparison with their size) into the air - a handy device if you're trying to escape predators.
Springtails can be found just pottering about in the soil but it was only when some dead plant stems were being cleared that a cluster of fly larvae (below) were discovered in the hollow heart of the stem, going to show just how important it is to delay cutting back herbaceous plants until late winter.
Look away now if you're afraid of spiders! (of course, if you're any good on spider identification by all means comment on whether you think we've got the names right)
Spider, possibly Tetragnatha species - elongate spiders from family Tetragnathidae
Spider, possibly Pardosa sp.- common and abundant lycosids (family Lycosidae), often found running on the ground
Thanks to James our volunteer for spotting and photographing all these lovelies.