Today is the spring equinox, when day length equals night length and the sun is above the equator. Why is this important? Well, it officially marks the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, so we can look forward to longer days, warmer weather, more birdsong, and, more importantly, more time spent outdoors, enjoying nature.
While I can't promise that there won't be a few more frosts to come, or even some late snow (did you experience the hailstones brought by Storm Hannah on Sunday?), I can bring you news of some typical spring wildlife sightings that have appeared bang on cue.
Yesterday I heard my first chiffchaff of the year. Always one of the first migrants to arrive, their onomatopoeic song is characteristic of early spring. In fact, there must have been a small influx overnight, with birds singing outside the office all day, as well as in North Bushes, the Sluice Bushes and near South Belt Crossroads.
I was also very pleased to find a beautiful clump of flowering colt's-foot around the benches at the seaward end of the North Wall. This distinctive flower, a member of the daisy family, produces bright yellow dandelion-like flowers on long pinkish stalks and is typically seen in wetlands during March. Once the flowers die off, the plant produces large leaves in their place.
If anyone knows what type of bee was seeking shelter on this colt's-foot flower, please let me know
There have also been several butterflies seen over the last couple of days, including brimstone, comma, red admiral and peacock, as well as a variety of flies. I haven't heard any reports of dark-edged beeflies yet - one of my favourite insects - but I'm sure they'll be spotted soon.
As you'll see from the last updates to Whistling Joe's Forum post, the two male adders along the Adder Trail are about to slough (shed) their skin, so it won't be long until the females begin to emerge. Adders do occur elsewhere on the reserve, but as they are sensitive to disturbance we encourage you to only look for them in the designated area. I did, however, almost knell on one in the dunes this afternoon whilst I was trying to photograph this stonechat. Needless to say, the adder made a hasty retreat to the shelter of a gorse bush!
The black-headed gulls on the Scrape are increasingly vocal. I'd love to know what these two were saying to each other!
Elsewhere on the Scrape, there's a similar mix of ducks, geese, waders and gulls as listed in Monday's blog. Surprisingly, they didn't appear to react to this marauding peregrine as it cruised along the dunes, low overhead. Not a great photo, I know, but I struggle with flight shots using my bridge camera - Whistling Joe will tell me to take it off auto, and I'll keep ignoring him!
In the reedbed, the bitterns, marsh harriers and bearded tits were all reported from Island Mere today, Cetti's warblers are singing in various locations, and an otter was seen from the North Wall this morning.
Finally, if you are planning a visit next week to enjoy the wonderful spring wildlife, please note that the shop will be closing early on Tuesday 26 March to allow us to carry out our annual stock take. This will not affect either reception of the cafe, but make sure you do your shopping in the morning!
To be fair, flight shots and grey skies are always difficult, so I'll let you off :-)