March is the month where life appears to be waking from its long sleep. The autumn mists have past and the winter chill is fading. Days lengthen and everywhere you look there are signs of activity and optimism. It’s time to emerge from winter hibernation and burst into busy spring life. Spring can be the most exciting time for nature lovers and this year is no disappointment. You may have already noticed that both the land and the sky are humming with life, from the shiny star-like flowers of lesser celandine to the early choruses of robins and great tits. Here are a few signs you can look out for this spring!
Trees
Two of the first trees to bounce into action are Alder and Hazel. Look out for yellow catkins on hazel trees and the dark red bursting buds of the alder.
Early Spring Flowers
In the garden, springs arrival include the fresh green shoots and colours of bulbs, such as crocuses, daffodils and chionodoxas. The buds of native woodland plants are starting to burst and the first spring flowers begin to carpet our woodland.
Attractive woodland plants that put on early spring displays including primula, lords-and-ladies, common dog violet, wood anemone, garlic mustard and wood sorrel. Also watch out for primroses, wild daffodil, wood anemone and lesser celandine.
Later in spring, the vibrant blue flowers of bluebell are a sure sign
spring has arrived. Between April and May, they create a spectacular carpet across native woodland floors throughout the UK. Arriving with the bluebell is the early purple orchid. As the name suggests, it is one of the earliest orchids to bloom and has vibrant purple-pink flowers until June.
Birds
Birds are amongst the most obvious party goers this month. Birdsong begins to increase – adding to the lonesome song of robins that have been defending their territories right through the winter. As the month progresses, our resident birds are joined by the first summer migrants. Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff fill our woodlands, sand martins can be seen scything through the sky, while northern wheatear return to the moorlands and stake a claim as the first of our summer migrants to return home.
Amphibians begin to fill the waterways in March. Common frog breeding is well under-way, while great crested newts begin to emerge from their hibernation and make their way to ponds and ditches.
March of the Mammals
During March many of our native wildlife including our mammals are beginning to open their eyes to the vibrant colours and warmer temperatures spring has to offer.
Hazel dormouse
The hazel dormouse has started to stir from their torpor and are starting to feed on blossom, insects and nuts of hedgerow species such as hawthorn, sycamore and willow. They sleep in a tightly woven nest, usually on the ground and made from honeysuckle bark, as they prefer cool and damp conditions. Hazel dormice are a rare and vulnerable species in the UK. They are a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and there are currently numerous ongoing dormouse reintroduction and monitoring programmes to help save our dormice populations.
Bats
Throughout March and April bats also begin to come out of hibernation. They are hungry and active and, as nocturnal animals, can mainly be spotted at night where they are flying around and locating their insect prey using echolocation. They may move between numerous roosting sites and also go back into torpor during adverse weather conditions. In the UK we have 18 species of bats all of which, and their roost sites, are legally protected. You can find out more information about this and how you can get involved by following the link for bats below!
Badgers
In February most pregnant females give birth to 1-5 cubs that are completely dependant on their mothers for 2-3 months and will stay underground for around 6 weeks. Therefore as more food becomes available, spring is a very busy time for mothers to be foraging food to keep their cubs fed. Unfortunately, this increase in foraging activity also leads to a dramatic increase in road traffic incidents. It’s not all bad! Reporting a road traffic incident can make a huge difference. Local badger trusts, the RSPCA and local rescue centres have helped save an extraordinary number of injured badgers and if this isn’t possible, reporting the incident will still enable them to find the orphaned cubs.
Venture out to open fields or farmland for the chance to see boxing hares. The fighters are actually the doe’s (female hares) that are forced to fend off their over amorous male admirers!
Insects
On warmer days, the first insects are emerging. They are seduced by a combination of rising air temperatures and day length.
Butterfly species such as small tortoiseshell, peacock and brimstone can be seen on the wing in warm sheltered spots.
Top Monthly Tips
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- Even though Spring is on the way, the weather conditions may say otherwise – wrap up warm and prepare for inclement weather.
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- Foliage is yet to fully bloom and so visibility in woodlands remains good. Take advantage of this before the leaves obstruct all the sights of spring up in the canopy.
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- Head down to your garden or local pond on warm nights to witness toad spawning in full swing. You will hear them before you see them!
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- Learn nature’s symphony. Now is the best time to brush up on your bird song, with only a few birds singing at a time. Get to grips with these before Britain is swamped in the songs of spring.
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- Take advantage of the dawn chorus. Towards the end of the month, head out at first light (an hour before dawn) to experience one of Britain’s greatest wildlife attractions. You don’t need to head far, just step outside your back door. Many people are unaware that the dusk chorus can be equally magical.
- So, if it’s to look for frogspawn, observe our feathery friends collecting twigs or to witness the spectacular displays of colour splashed on the woodland floors…. you should definitely be heading outdoors this spring.
For more information or advice on the ecological services we provide, call us on 029 2065 0331, or email enquiries@acerecology.co.uk.
