Spring has sprung here at Coombes, birdsong fills the air and buds are starting to break through. The familiar sound of a blackbird can be heard everyday from its perch in the trees and blue tits and great tits are already starting to move into their nestboxes.
Skylarks – Out with our work party volunteers on Tuesday we spotted some skylarks flying up high. At this time of year it could be ‘late birds’ flying back to the uplands. In the next few weeks they’ll begin singing in earnest, hanging suspended overhead as their beautiful song fills the air. This territorial display in the sky can last up to five minutes while the male is at the peak of his flight, before he slowly descends. When out around our reserve keep your ears open and you might just see one.
Skylark by David Osborn (RSPB Images)
Common Smooth Cap (Moss) – Coombes is currently covered in a mossy carpet and new and exciting species are visible everywhere. A Common Smoothcap capsule can produce over 100,000 spores, which become wind borne after release. They can be jolted from their pepper pot-like capsule by anything from a falling raindrop to a gust of wind. Some other mosses can produce over 500,000 spores per capsule! Many types of moss provide nest-lining material for birds and throughout this week I have seen robins taking pieces away, a sure sign that spring is on the way.
Willow Catkins – Willow Catkins have started to emerge on trees near the pond this week, a sign that we really are saying goodbye to the cooler winter months and heading for better weather (hopefully!). Catkins are a special type of flower that appear before the leaves. Historically the leaves and bark of willow trees have been used for medicinal purposes, the ancient Greeks often crushed the leaves to treat aches and fevers.
Williow Catkins by Simon Gray.
Common Carder Bumblebee (Queen) – Queen Bumblebees are taking advantage of spring’s early flowers and first warm days. Unlike other species of bee, which often nest underground, Common Carder Bees nest on the surface and are named for their habit of combing (carding) moss or dead grass. On warmer sunny days keep an eye out for big, clumsy queens flitting from flower to flower.
Common Frogs – The damp edges around our pond are perfect for these slippery creatures and it’s actually the first time I’ve seen them on the reserve; I often spot warty toads instead. Their smooth skin is covered with dark, irregular blotches and can be anything from grey, olive green and yellow to various shades of brown. Males tend to be slightly smaller and darker than females and are distinguishable by the dark bluish-black nuptial pads (swellings) on their first fingers. Although common frogs can be active during the day, they tend to be more so at night and during the winter they hibernate in compost heaps, under stones and logs or in water beneath piles of mud and decaying leaves. You can create a similar home for nature in your back garden visit: http://homes.rspb.org.uk/ for more information.
Common Frog by Mark Sisson (RSPB Images)
Why not come for a walk through our magical woodland this weekend? With your wellies and a spring in your step, you never know what you might find...