In the weeks ahead, literally millions of birds will arrive on our shores having chosen to spend the winter in warmer climes.
Whilst our winter weather might not be to their taste, our spring and summer conditions are just what these species need to rear their chicks – meaning the UK plays a hugely important role in the lifecycle of a raft of species; from wheatears and willow warblers to sedge warblers and swifts.
Amongst the earliest arrivals will be the wheatear and sand martin which, by March, may already be with us. Whilst the wheatear tends to favour uplands and heaths, they can be spotted almost anywhere whilst migrating to their favoured spots – so frequent a visitor to our Attenborough Nature Reserve whilst on passage that an area of the site was renamed Wheatear Field. Sand martins can be seen feeding over farmland, but due to their habit of nesting in tunnels dug in sandy banks – tend to favour riverbank habitats. In the past century they have also colonised many sand quarries – including sites throughout the Trent Valley.
Hot on the heels of these pioneers will be species such as chiffchaff, swallow, yellow wagtail and tree pipit, with species such as sedge warbler and whitethroat not far behind. The reason so many migrant species choose to breed here is because although our days are cooler than the Sub-Saharan areas they spend much of the year in; the days are longer, providing more opportunity to gather food for hungry chicks.
Whilst spring bird migration is a wonderful wildlife spectacle – throwing up the potential for new sights and sounds on an almost daily basis – wildlife watching in this magical month isn’t all about the birds. Warmer temperatures and ground conditions mean that life is stirring in our ponds, with frogs, toads and newts much more active. Mild, moist evenings in March can be a trigger for toads to migrate en-masse along ancient routes and March is the month frog spawn is most likely to appear. Other species on the move include hedgehogs emerging from hibernation, so look out for them in your gardens, and consider putting out meaty cat or dog food to give them a welcome boost.
Early spring flowers, from tiny daisies flourishing in lawns still awaiting their first cut of the year, to lesser celandines and wood anemone, which thrive in the mild, sheltered, conditions found in woodlands, are well worth looking out for. Whilst bluebells seem to grab the limelight, I believe that a swathe of wood anemones carpeting the floor of an ancient woodland gives them a run for their money. If you’re lucky enough to visit a local woodland during the sweet spot when the flowering periods of early primroses, lesser celandines and wood anemones overlaps – you’ll be in for an unmissable March treat.
Get involved
Details of all Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves, campaigns and ways you can help support nature recovery across the county can be found at www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org.
Image: Common Whitethroat, Mike Hill