Local Wildlife Sightings, March 2026

 The warmer, drier weather of late February continued into March. No fewer than nine Brimstone and two Peacock butterflies were seen on a short walk that took me across the eastern side of The Heath and back by the side of Royston Hospital on the 2nd - my first local butterflies of the year and the first large insects (other than a few queen bumble bees) that I had seen locally in 2026. Up to 15 frogs were noisily occupying the garden pond and on the 4th the first clump of frogspawn was laid there. At last, I had other wildlife to think about apart from birds!

I made my now monthly visit to Scales Park (Meesden) on the 4th. Crossbills were again seen but, on a very misty morning, the surprise was to see large numbers of Siskins (I estimate 30-35) around the evergreens near the eastern end of the main ride. Were they passing through on their way north? The poor visibility may have forced them down, or perhaps Scales Park is a regular stopping off place in the early spring. A very noisy flock of Redwings had gathered at the tops of the trees. Perhaps they, too, were moving through, or at least preparing to move north.

Male Siskin, Scales Park, 4 March

On my way home I called in at Reed End. Two Little Grebes were seen at Phillup's Lake (a positive sign). All the Canada Geese had departed and just a pair of Tufted Ducks were on the lake - will they stay to attempt to breed, or will the resident pair of Coots chase them off? Towards Therfield, some of the farmland finches and buntings had dispersed, although I did see a flock of around 60 Corn Buntings in flight. One landed next to a male Reed Bunting, giving an interesting size comparison (image).

Corn Bunting (left hand bird) and male Reed Bunting, Therfield, 4 March

 

UK Wildlife Sightings, March 2026

 With relatively mild, settled weather and a gentle breeze I decided to go Goshawk hunting at Cockley Cley (Norfolk) on the 3rd. Early March is the best time of year to see Goshawks displaying, although they can be seen in February if weather conditions are right. After 75 minutes of waiting, only lots of Buzzards and a single Red Kite had been seen. However, as I tried to photograph an overhead Buzzard a second bird, clearly a hawk, came into view. People around me said that it was only a Sparrowhawk. Certainly it looked small, but it was fairly high. Eventually I managed to get a 'record shot' of the bird that wasn't blurred. Later examination showed lengthwise striping along the underside of the bird (perpendicular to the barring along the wings and tail), pointing to the fact that this was a young Goshawk - probably a male - success! The image is shown below.

'Record Shot' of a Juvenile Goshawk, Cockley Cley, 3 March

I called into Lynford Arboretum on the way home, on the off-chance that I could see a Hawfinch. A quick check of the feeding station near the 'Shepherd's Baa' cafe netted me my first Brambling of the year (a female). Surely, things couldn't get any better? Oh yes, they could! Sitting at the top of the tallest tree in the paddock was a Hawfinch. I managed to get a few photos before it flew down, not to be seen again.

Hawfinch, Lynford Arboretum, 3 March

The best was still to come. As I continued a walk that I regularly take through the forest I came across signs warning me to watch where I stood, as it was the time of year for migrating frogs and toads. A few yards further on, by the side of a lake, I came upon a mass of courting and mating Common Toads - probably 60 to 70 with more, sometimes 'piggybacking', arriving at the lake as I watched. Forty minutes later I had photographed toads (individuals, couples and even a 'threesome') from every angle. Some spawn had already been laid. The lake is well away from the nearest road, so hopefully mortality as the toads make their way to the mating pond from every direction will be low. I was a herpetologist before I became a bird watcher, so seeing these toads performing was a joy to see.

Common Toads in Amplexus, arriving at their Breeding Lake, Lynford, 3 March

Common Toad 'Mating Ball' (two males and a female), Lynford, 3 March