Valentine’s Day is almost here and even if you’re not feeling the love, nature definitely is. Here’s my guide to seven of the best sights and sounds of early spring brought to you by a star-studded cast of attention seekers from the world of wildlife. These extroverts will do whatever it takes to stand out from the crowd and find a mate - and the ideal home…
Ravens are not just any old crow - they're huge, with a deep call and diamond-shaped tail (Chris Gomersall rspb-images.com)
1) Noisy ravens - “Kronk!” The gruff, far-carrying call of our biggest crow, the magnificent raven, is reaching new peaks as these early nesters take to the skies to perform acrobatic, tumbling displays. They’re long at the front and back due to a large sturdy beak and a long, diamond’ shaped tail. They’re big birds – getting on for buzzard-sized and are magnificent in the air, especially when the sun shines.
Goshawks exude power and now is the time to see these rare and secretive birds high above the treetops (Mike Langman rspb-images.com)
2) Skydancing goshawks - A life spent among the trees in thick forest means goshawks are rarely seen – apart from now that is.... They take to the air high above their territories to display with a steady climb on slow, elastic wingbeats until they are high above their treetop domain. Once fully airborne, they soar and stoop in a rollercoaster display before suddenly closing their wings and plummeting into the trees with a near vertical stoop.
You might have seen grey herons grappling with eels, but you can see them carrying huge sticks to their treetop nests now (Eleanor Bentall rspb-images.com)
3) Treetop herons - You might be surprised to see grey herons carrying big sticks and branches this February. Heronries are alive with activity as the birds repair their huge basket nests in the treetops. Herons nest in close proximity to one another, so there is the odd scuffle and bit of stick- stealing but there is definitely a lot more love than hate going on. Bill snapping, neck stretching, presenting gifts of sticks and mutual preening seal the deal.
Probably the UK's most headturning bird - certainly with the biggest wingspan - white-tailed eagles are performing tumbling displays now (Chris Gomersall rspb-images.com)
4) Cartwheeling eagles - Did you know that trees have been know to collapse under the weight of white-tailed eagle nests? Our biggest bird of prey, featured in full in Nature’s Home Spring 2018 magazine, mailed to all RSPB members, is an awe-inspiring sight with a wingspan up to 2.5 metres. It also builds a huge, re-usable nest either in trees, or on sheer coastal cliffs. Not only do eagles get more vocal now, they lock talons mid-air and spiral to earth in series of spectacular cartwheels.
The dawn chorus is gaining pace already and blackbirds are warming up - what's your favourite songster? (Chris Gomersall rspb-images.com)
5) The dawn chorus begins! Nature’s soundtrack builds fast during February with more places coming alive with the sound of bird song. Count how many species are singing in the dawn chorus each day and you’ll be able to see how the cast grow as the days pass. My favourite’s the sweet and simple melody produced by the blackbird. How about you?
Common frogs are among the first species of the year to get on with breeding. Frogspawn has been found already!
6) The frog chorus. If you hear frogs croaking (tip: they get really excited after rain!), peer into ponds and ditches where you may witness a writhing orgy of these early-emerging amphibians, consumed by the need to reproduce. It’s a sight and sound not to be missed once February arrives.
Woodpeckers live up to their name in early spring - listen for their short-lived "drumming" on dead wood (Mike Langman rspb-images.com)
7) Drum roll please. Not all birds use their voices to make themselves heard. Woodpeckers “drum” to mark their territories. The further the sound travels, the better, so they seek out hollow trees and branches. They’ve adapted to using telegraph poles – even the metal plates on them. Their built in shock absorbers – pockets of air in their skull and strengthened bone tissue - means this isn’t as painful as it may sound…
What’s your favourite springtime sound? Let us know by emailing natureshome@rspb.org.uk or leaving a comment below.
Thank you Mark. Great Blog. Have to say, a mention of Ospreys sky dancing even if it is late March when they arrive . I think the Blackbirds song has to top all although the sweet tremulous notes of the Robin are a delight on dull dreary days.
Mark, We have 3 male and 2 female Blackbirds chasing each other around and out of our small back garden--our restaurant is very popular and they all want possession. I missed out the lovely song of the Robin, but then I enjoy their various twitterings for most of the year--especially like hearing them singing at night.
Thanks Gardenbirder and you are right, my slip of the keyboard! Amendment made - fortunately easier to do here than in print (I'm glad to say we have 2.5m in the Nature's Home white-tailed eagle feature!). I'll be blogging about my white-tailed eagle adventures from last summer soon, so keep an eye out for it.
Hoping for a little more blackbird song over the next few weeks. I currently have three males bobbing round my lawn chasing a female so they are otherwise engaged at present!
Thanks, Mark, I'm with you regarding the Blackbird's song although I also love warbling Goldfinches and chattering Long-Tailed Tits. You might wish to edit your wingspan of the Eagles--not 1.2 but 2 to 2.4 metres is the measurement given in the Bird A-Z on the main RSPB site!