Couples across the world may be celebrating Valentine's Day today, but did you know that 14 February is an important day in the natural world.
Today is traditionally the day that ducks pair up for the year, and certainly there's been a lot of amorous behaviour on the Scrape for the last few weeks. Many ducks do indeed pair up on their wintering grounds, returning to the breeding sites as a pair in the spring. But it's not the case for all species though, as most males pochards winter in the UK, but the females head further south to the warmer climes of Spain. Conversely, all species of swans and geese form lifelong pair bonds, though they will reaffirm these bonds with regular display.
A pair of gadwalls with displaying drake by Ian Barthorpe
It's not just the ducks that are thinking of pairing up. When the sun shines our marsh harriers are already displaying, and late February into March is the best time to look for sparrowhawks and goshawks displaying (though the latter are not found here at Minsmere). Great spotted woodpeckers are busy drumming and many of our woodland birds are now in full song. The woodlarks have begun singing on Westleton Heath too.
Another reason why 14 February is an important date for nature is that it's the start of National Nestbox Week. Started by the BTO several years ago, National Nestbox Week is a celebration of all things related to nestboxes. It's a reminder to clean out any boxes that you have in the garden, ready for the tits to find them in April, and a call to action to put out new boxes if you have space.
We're celebrating National Nestbox Week at Minsmere, as families can join us to make nestboxes this week. Every day, from Monday to Friday, there will be the sound of nails hammered into wood at the Discovery Centre, with excited children taking their boxes home in the hope of attracting blue tits or great tits to nest in them. There's also quizzes, crafts and fun facts about nests. Boxes cost £5 each to make, and there is no need to book.
Of course, there are many different types of nestboxes, suitable for starlings, house sparrows, robins, tawny owls, barn owls, bats, hedgehogs, insects and a variety of other species. And if, like me, you're not very handy with a hammer and saw, then come along to the Minsmere Shop to choose the best suited to your garden, farm or school grounds.
There's also a great range of other goodies in the shop, including birdfood, feeders, books and gifts. Our staff and volunteers all have a good knowledge of the range of binoculars and telescopes available in the shop, and are happy to spend as long as needed to help you to choose the model that suits you. We always have a good range, and next weekend we have our first binocular and telescope open day of the year, so if you're looking for new binoculars or a 'scope, why not come along for a chat and some advice.
While you are visiting you might decide to enjoy a relaxing walk, and perhaps you'll spot an otter, bittern, marsh harrier or snipe. All have been showing well at times today from the reedbed hides, with black-tailed godwits, redshanks, turnstones and pintails among the ducks on the Scrape.
That's something new I've learned about ducks - perhaps the origins of Valentine's Day is tied up with that traditional date. Lovely photos of the gadwalls.......and that young man is doing a great job on the nest box!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.