Nature Notes March

A fine, dry and mild month, with plenty of warm sunny days. The clock adjustment has given us extra light in the evenings to enjoy the abundant bird song.

SIGHTINGS
Birds: Jays, Hooded Crows, Magpies, Buzzards, Black-headed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Mallard Ducks, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Robins, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Siskins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great Tits & Long Tailed Tits, Dunnocks, Stonechats, Dartford Warblers.
Plants: Gorse and Broom in flower, Hazel catkins.
Butterflies: Brimstones, Peacock.
Insects: Buff-tailed Bumble Bees, Pond Skaters.
Reptiles: Adder, Grass Snake.
Mammals: Wood Mice, Grey Squirrels.

Good news with the sightings of pairs of both Stonechats and Dartford Warblers after the harsh weather this past winter.
Four Mallard Ducks in flight over the site.
A pair of Bullfinch along the Hazelwood path west.
Both Adders and Grass Snakes have emerged from hibernation, finding warm banks and paths to bask in the sunshine.
A great deal of drumming from the Great Spotted Woodpecker, proclaiming rights to a territory, and laughter sound from the Green Woodpecker.

Many of the bird boxes now have Blue/Coal/Great Tits in residence.

The streams and pools are now showing life with Pond Skaters on the move.

Nature Facts

During March, Frog spawning took place with tadpoles beginning to hatch. Grey Squirrels gave birth to their main Spring litter. Bats were beginning to be active. The vixen Fox gave birth after a 53 day pregnancy.