March in the Valley
Back in 2008 we experienced one of the sunniest Februarys since records began. Two years on and it has been one the coldest for at least 10 years. Well at least the weather in this country can never be called predictable.
 Two years ago, by the start of March, Blackthorn was already in blossom (pictured right) and even some of the Hawthorn leaves had begun to unfurl. There are no signs of that this year but do let us know when you first spot them in the Valley area.
Also look out for Willow and Alder catkins and  woodland flowers, like Primrose (pictured right) and Lesser Celandine, as well as Colt’s-foot, Cuckoo Flower (also known as Lady’s Smock) and Wood Sorrel.
Goat Willow catkins are grey and silky at first but soon become a mass of yellow as they open to release their pollen. Goat Willow, also known as sallow or pussy willow, has yellow male and green female catkins on separate trees. Both produce nectar and butterflies, flies and bees visit them and carry the pollen between the male and female trees. Birds, especially Blue Tits, visit them too, looking for insects and to drink the sweet nectar.
Wintering wildfowl are still here, but their numbers will slowly dwindle through March and April as the weather improves and the migrants return home. On good days our resident bird species can be observed in courtship and territorial displays. A Sparrowhawk, for instance, will ascend over its territory in a circular corkscrew flight that is visible from a distance, very different from its normally secretive behaviour. Whilst the Great  Crested Grebe has a fascinating courtship routine, which culminates in the ‘weed’ dance, where both birds collect waterweed in their beaks, tread water and rise breast to breast with their offerings. Do let us know
if you see any courting Grebes on the Valley lakes
In your own back garden listen for the high-pitched cry of what appears to be a young Robin begging to be fed. This is actually a female encouraging its mate to provide it with a ‘courtship feed’.
This month is a good time to look for Bullfinches, our bird of the month. These shy birds feed on berries and seeds but as these have become increasingly difficult to find they turn their attention to fruit buds. Watch the hedgerows where crab apples, blackthorn and wild cherry flowerbuds are swelling Do keep an eye out for the first migrants of the year, particularly the Chiffchaff.
In previous years frog spawn had already been spotted in some of the Valley’s ponds by the end of February. No reported sighting have come in this year yet, but if you see any do please let us know. Keep looking in the weedy margins of shallow ponds and let us know if you see anything frog, toad or newt spawn. The eggs of toads and newts are more difficult to spot because they are attached to reeds below the water.
 When the weather warms up you may be lucky to catch sight of snakes or lizards basking in the early spring sunshine.
Adders have been seen
along the stretch of the
BV Path running along the
east side of the river just
north of Coleford Bridge,
whilst the wooden bridge
crossing over the river by
Frimley Hatches is a favourite of basking lizards. As they emerge from hibernation snakes and lizards need to warm their bodies to obtain energy to hunt and mate, so at this time of year they are very sluggish and move slowly, which makes spotting them much easier. Look carefully in damp areas around ponds for Grass Snakes, in sheltered open areas and on walls and piles of stones for other species.
WONDERING WHAT TO DO?
- Come along to our event Step into the Country on Saturday 20th March. Find out more >>>
- What’s going on this month? March events >>>
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