Migration

WHERE TO VISIT
March is a great time to get outside
and enjoy nature as winter begins to be
overtaken by the messengers of spring.
Words: Alice Johnson
The Wildlife Trust’s Parc
Slip Nature Reserve,
Wales
Pensthorpe Natural Park,
Norfolk
Once home to BBC Springwatch, Pensthorpe provides the
surroundings for a fantastic day out, whether your aim is
to watch wildlife or to have an outing with the family. Its
network of wetlands means a variety of wildfowl can be
seen out on the water; while the woodland hide provides an
unmissable opportunity to watch woodland birds, such as
great spotted woodpecker, chaffinch and nuthatch, up close.
The heralds of spring, snowdrops, also adorn areas of the
woodland floor at this time of year.
| Where to Visit |
Image: Alice Johnson
This 300 acre reserve, run by The Wildlife Trust of South
and West Wales, was originally an opencast coal mine, but
now boasts vast expanses of different habitats, including
wetlands, and woodland, and hosts endangered species
such as the great crested newt. The Northern Wetlands
on the reserve are a good place to see lapwings, as they
captivate visitors with their broad winged flight and ‘peewit’
call. ‘Lapwing Watch’ volunteers observe and record the
behaviour of this species, so get in touch with the reserve if
you are interested in helping out.
Image: Margaret Holland
Ellesmere Heronry,
Shropshire
Herons nest early in the year, which makes March the
perfect time to visit a heronry and witness this prehistoric
scene. At Ellesmere, herons nest on Moscow Island and can
be viewed from The Shropshire Wildlife Trust’s Boathouse
visitor centre where the Ellesmere Heronwatch local group
are based. Video cameras installed in the heronry allow
visitors to witness the drama unfold in this birdlife soap
opera from the comfort of the centre.
RSPB Lakenheath Fen,
Suffolk
The National Trust’s Lyme
Park, Cheshire
This wetland reserve supports typical reed bed species such
as bearded tits, bitterns and water rail, but it is the presence
of the common crane on this site which is particularly
special, with 2007 having marked their first breeding year
here. You might catch a glimpse of them in flight, their
large size clearly giving away their identify, or you may even
see them dancing. The RSPB will be running events on the
reserve this month, such as crane and barn owl walks.
Image: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Image: John Harding
This month of the year is often defined by the phrase ‘mad
March hares’ and Lyme Park is a great place to witness
this spectacle. The female brown hares are pursued by male
suitors but can become annoyed by their continued advances
so will turn to ‘box’ with them. The Cage, a historic hunting
lodge, is a great place to watch the hare’s antics from, with
dawn and dusk being the time they are most energetic.
Along with these charming mammals the park is home to a
herd of red deer as well as amazing ancient tree specimens,
such as a 550 year old oak.
- 7 -
- 8 -