February may be the shortest month of the year but its arrival dispatches the bleakness of winter and hints at warmer weather to come. Watery sunlight boldly peeps through the folds of night and there’s a promise of spring in the air. Thin layers of glistening frost may retain the legacy of Christmas scenes, but romance is just around the corner.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion for bird lovers, nature lovers or just lovers to get away from it all for an hour or two and Titchwell Marsh is the perfect place to be. Set against panoramic views of open countryside and unspoilt beaches, Titchwell is a medley of freshwater lagoons, whispering reedbeds and tidal saltmarsh. Bring your date to Titchwell this weekend and enjoy a romantic walk for two.
Coastal treasures
Habitats rich in wildlife are within an easy stroll of the Visitor Centre but there’s nothing that shouts romance quite as much as a walk along the beach. Look along the shoreline and you’ll likely see groups of sanderling scampering back and forth with the waves searching for small crustaceans and fish to eat. These energetic little waders are easily identified by their ‘clockwork’ action and white and silver plumage. Other familiar beach visitors include oystercatchers with their carroty-orange bills and marble headed turnstones. These birds are well named for their habit of flipping over stones with their bills in pursuit of edible prey. Grab a pair of binoculars and scan the sea for diving ducks such as elegant eider and aptly named goldeneye; they are often seen riding the swell of the North Sea close to shore. You might also catch sight of a lone fulmar soaring low over the waves hunting for food.
Lovely lagoons
Onshore winds carry the scent of the sea across the fresh water lagoons and up to rolling hills beyond the marsh. These lagoons are home to visiting and resident waterbirds including dabbling ducks, geese and waders. Listen for the whistling sound of male wigeon squabbling over a female and the constant ‘took took’ chatter of shovelers. Stop for a while here and look out for avocets feeding on the freshmarsh. These waders, sport a stylish black and white plumage but are best known for their graceful, upturned bill. Sweeping this from side to side under the water, avocets feed on small invertebrates close to the surface or in loose sediment. Avocets are good swimmers and in deeper water will up-end in imitation of a dabbling duck to find prey.
Male and female shoveler on fresh marsh
Overwinter, the freshwater marsh is home to flocks of golden plover. When disturbed, the birds will take to the air as if yanked by an invisible cord; first one, then a second, pulling the rest of the flock behind them. Flashing white bellies as they go, they’ll dart one way then another before returning to their wetland home. If you see them take off, look to the skies for a marsh harrier passing overhead, these stunning raptors are a common sight at Titchwell Marsh and successfully breed deep in the reedbeds each spring.
Rich reedbeds
Titchwell’s inland reedbeds provide food and shelter for many species of wildlife from small freshwater fish to large wading birds such as grey herons and later in the year, spoonbills. Common snipe sometimes hug the shallow fringes of the reedbeds where they are perfectly camouflaged. The long, straight bill (half the length of the body) is the ideal tool for probing into the soft mud at the edge of the waterbed. Sit yourself in the Island Hide or by Patsy’s reedbeds and keep any eye out for these curious small wading birds – this is also an ideal spot to hear the mellow boom of the bittern signalling his interest in a mate.
The woodland retreat of the Meadow Trail, with it’s hideaway viewing spots is the best place for couples to sit snuggled together and watch wildlife. Take a seat by the dragonfly pond and you are likely to be entertained by sooty coloured coot as they splash noisily in the water. Underneath the water’s surface, aquatic life is stirring and if the weather is mild enough, frogs and toads may emerge from their wintery homes. Listen out for the scratchy calls of orange breasted brambling high in the alders and the more melodic tune of a male song thrush; as with many birds, he’ll be marking out his territory ready for mating.
The quiet retreat of the Meadow Trail
It seems wherever you look, wildlife is energetically prepping for the return of spring. And while February may still bring the nip of winter, it’s a wonderful time to take a stroll through the reserve and take note of all the activity that accompanies the season of love.