March challenge
SPRING
is an exciting time for wildlife; resident birds are singing, migrants are arriving and the first nesting is taking place. On warm days hibernating butterflies may appear, a first bumblebee might be seen and spring flowers are blooming. March is wonderful month to get out and about – especially if you’re taking part in #LocalBigYear. See how many of these you can find close to you.
Long-tailed Tits nest building Although not a particularly early breeder, Long-tailed Tits have such an elaborate nest that they start building it several weeks before egg laying. A nesting pair may take up to two weeks to build the oval-shaped structure of moss, lichen and spider webs, and then another one-two weeks to line it with up to 2,000 feathers. See if you can find a nest being built or spot birds collecting feathers. You might help a pair by finding feathers and putting them out for them to use.
Goldcrest in song
Many resident birds are in full song, establishing territories and finding mates, especially those breeding for the first time.
Goldcrest’s contains the highest notes uttered by any British breeding bird. Its tinkling phrase can be written as eeedle, eeedle, eeedle, repeated five to seven times followed by a terminal flourish, lasting for perhaps three seconds and repeated every 10 seconds or so. Many start singing in March, but the high notes mean that some older birders can’t hear them. Listen hard!
First wheatear
Northern Wheatears begin to arrive in March, as early as the first week of the month on the south coast and perhaps a week later further north. They can be found feeding on open fields as they head north to their breeding areas. Males are first to arrive, setting up a territory before the females arrive, which come a week or so later. See if you can find one near you, and look to see what sex it is.
Mistle Thrush breeding
Mistle Thrush is an early breeder, beginning nest building as early as late February and laying as early as mid-March. Nests are large and untidy, high up in the fork of a tree, and well hidden. Territories are proclaimed with a wild song, less mellow than a Blackbird, usually given from a high perch. Also listen for its churring rattle. Find out if you have a pair breeding near you, and can locate the nest, taking care not to disturb it.
Harrier skydance
There are now more than 400 pairs of Western Marsh Harrier in England, and a couple of dozen in Scotland, offering a great opportunity to watch their fabulous ‘skydance’ display. Starting in March and continuing into April, this breath-taking spectacle involves a slow, flapping ascent followed by a headlong dive, swooping up again and repeating, like a fairground rollercoaster. A spectacular spring sight, it is well worth looking out for.
Chris Harbard