What to see in March (1 Viewer)

Spring arrives very quickly in March, by the middle of the month Chiffchaffs we will heard singing in the woodlands followed closely by Blackcaps, both are migrants from Africa, arriving to spend the summer here. On bright sunny days the birdwatcher looking skywards will see much visible migration, perhaps Lapwings moving north east towards the Scandinavian countries, crows & Jackdaws & woodpigeons coming in from the north & the southward migration of Linnets can all be witnessed along the coast. Common Buzzards & Red Kites will be passing west high above the ground making the daytime skies seem very busy. On the ground Coltsfoot, Primroses & Lesser Celandine, all yellow flowers will be flowering in profusion. Mammals are busy too with Boxing Hares on the fields & mice feeding on gardener’s sweet pea seeds sown in the ground.

Look out too for four species of butterfly seen before the months end, Small white, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell & the Comma are all early species, favouring gardens hedgerows & allotments as they search for flowers to nectar on.
The Sewage Filter beds of most parishes although unpleasant will produce White & Pied Wagtails, a couple of Grey wagtails & perhaps an early yellow wagtail. The uncommon Firecrest may be seen close by too as they all feed on the abundant insect life here.

Spring for the Naturalist arrives all too quickly & one does not really know which way to turn next.

Think you got your butterflies a bit mixed up.

Brimstone is one of the first but not small white. The first butterflies that do not over winter as an adults to appear are Green-veined White & Orange Tip.

This is a post for my area, East Suffolk I should have made this clear. Brimstone is not a butterfly that is very Common on the east Coast at Lowestoft, perhaps two or three records per year. So I left that one out
The butterflies that over winter are the first to appear

If they have hibernated they are still new appearances.

Thanks for your input.

Cheers Colin, a very useful entry that.

The Linnet migration is fantastic. These birds move south in their hundreds from march to mid may.

They seem to drift south in small flocks of no bigger tahn 10 or 15.

That's a really interesting post Colin, thanx! Pied waggies are here and zillions of lapwings. Also Canada Geese in field today. No butterflies seen as yet but it's been a beautiful day and more good weather on the way so that may bring some out )

Annie

In New Jersey, USA, Spring arrives in a flourish of activity.
Mixed flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles, Brown-headed Cowbirds, desend and search the ground where snow rested last night.
The courting Red-tail Hawks are gliding in the warming air currents harased occasionally by the resident band of Crows.
The call of the Kill-deer is a tell-tale sign that Spring is upon us.

In the marsh, ice releases it's grip and pairs of Hooded Merganser's appear dreesed in their formal attire. Newly arrived Black Ducks are skittish and quick to flight with the first attempt at trying to capture their image. Paula's hide would work well here to sit and watch the marsh come to life.
As night takes over the "Whinny" of the Screech Owl is heard in the distance and once again there is a "stillness", the earthy aroma of "Spring" is in the air.