Where has spring gone?

It is hard to believe that this time last year there were bumblebees and ladybirds in the garden and along the river there was almost an abundance of water voles 
Instead this year it seems to be a never ending winter, with snow on successive weekends,  temperatures in single digits and the river looking bleak and desolate, with few signs of life.
.

.
Once again the meadow is flooded and an opportunist heron looking for any displaced amphibians, fish or water voles
.

.
Although water vole sightings are infrequent - maybe because it's too cold to spend a long time looking for them - they are starting to become more active as this latrine shows:

.
And other signs that this isn't winter, just a very cold spring, is a solitary flowering daffodil.
.