Author: Carrie Carey
There’s nothing more likely to put a spring in your step than seeing the new blooms of flowers and trees emerging at this time of year. The term ‘spring time’ dates back to the 15th century in celebration of the new year springing out from the old. With the long awaited passage of winter, springing time was seen as a period of rejuvenation and regrowth.
Spring is the favoured season for many of us as we look forward to longer days and warmer weather. Gradually, brown and barren areas of garden are transformed into hues of green interspersed with splashes of colour. Fragrant blooms reappear in borders and hedgerows, and daisies materialise overnight on our lawns.
The arrival of spring heralds a number of changes for the wildlife of Titchwell Marsh nature reserve. Overwintering visitors begin their long flight home to breeding grounds in Scandinavia, Russia and Iceland. Their presence missed only for a moment whilst we await the arrival of sand martins and swallows returning from their winter sojourn in Africa.
Photo: RSPB Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk, credit: Rahul Thanki
Out on the reserve, marsh harriers can be seen swooping and falling in a series of twists, rolls and spirals as they perform their ritual sky dance. During the breeding season the male will provide the female with food. Feeding on small mammals and birds the harriers fly low over the marshes searching for prey. When he has a suitable offering, the male soars high into the air and with the female flying underneath him, drops the prey for her to catch.
Photo: marsh harriers passing food in mid-air, credit: Ben Hall
Another avian rarity, the bittern, marks the arrival of spring with his booming call. The bittern is a shy and elusive bird whose plumage perfectly camouflages him against the reed bed habitats. However, he gives his presence away with his unusual and very loud call. These birds, once thought to be extinct in the UK are now breeding successfully in carefully managed conservation reserves such as Titchwell Marsh.
Photo: bittern blending into the reeds, credit: Ben Andrew
In woodland areas, courtship of another sort is taking place. Male newts develop a wave like crest along their spine and tail. In the presence of a female, the male shimmies and his tail vibrates. Frogs and toads have woken from their winter sleep and are ready to mate. They will lay their jelly-like spawn on the freshwater pools often in close proximity to the nests of moorhens and coots.
Photo credit: Eleanor Bentall
Further out on the reserve oystercatchers and ringed plovers are beginning to nest along the beach. Mallards and teal show off their fine plumage in order to attract a mate and other birds, such as black-tailed godwits, shed winter plumage for their nuptial feathers.
Photo: oystercatcher stood in water, credit: Chris Gomersall
Photo: ringed plover, nesting on stony ground, credit: Andy Hay
For us too, spring provides incentive to get outdoors and shake off those winter cobwebs. It’s time to shed the layers and feel the gentle warmth of the sun’s rays on our skin. With a diversity of habitats to explore at Titchwell reserve there are places a plenty to take a brisk walk or a gentle amble or just take time out of the day to sit and enjoy nature’s playground. Whatever your pleasure, you can’t beat a fine spring day to invigorate the senses and recharge those batteries.
Event Listing
Hare's most egg-cellent adventure
Monday 3 April to Sunday 16 April
10 am
Price: £1 per child (nature trails) £2 per child (egg hunt)
Fun for all the family over Easter as we follow hare on his travels around the reserve. Self-led nature trails are available throughout the Easter holidays with hands-on activities taking place on the dates below. Our annual egg hunts will take place on Easter Sunday and Monday.
A list of available RSPB membership packages could be found here.