Have you any cowslips flowering in your garden yet? One or two are ahead of the others in the wildflower meadows at Engine Farm at the moment, poking their heads up from the former lakebed of Whittlesea Mere. These are viewable from the Northern Loop trail. Please keep to the marked trail around the edges; please keep dogs on leads, both on trails and in the hides at the Great Fen, which includes Holme Fen at this time of year.
Amphibians have been stirring, and you might even have frogspawn in your garden pond already. We have had some cold nights and also mild ones recently, and with some sunny and wet weather on the way more creatures will be abroad at night.
During the daytime, insects are on the move. You may have seen brimstone butterflies on the wing earlier this month. Watch out for a variety of bees seeking out the early nectar sources. Our Reserves Officer, Jasmin Atkins, suggests you keep an eye open for hairy-footed flower bees.
March is a cross-over period. While we still have plenty of winter visitors with us, such as whooper swans; Jasmin spotted over 50 birds on Kester’s Docking this year. Other species have already arrived to breed at the Great Fen, such as stonechats.
As the wind swings around to the south, migrants will arrive or pass through. We will be watching for wheatears, stopping off on our tracks and trails, as they pass through. Many species of bird have been displaying and even nest building; you may have spotted all the rook activity in the treetops and open fields. Spend some time in or by a local woodland and listen for blackcap and chiffchaff. The great tits are certainly very vocal at the moment, as are the song thrushes.
If you like to immerse yourself in nature, later this year we have our Great Fen Ecotour; so consider booking a place. In the meantime, we will be investigating aquatic wildlife, as we learn more about the water beetles of the Great Fen, in preparation for surveying for them this year. You may also like to consider volunteering for water vole surveys? Contact me if you would like to help.
Henry Stanier (Great Fen Monitoring & Research Officer)