March - an overview
March brings with it the anticipation of Spring; 21st March is
the Vernal or Spring Equinox when there is equal periods of night
and day and officially marks the start of Spring. March can have
warm days, but can still be a reminder that winter still has a
grip with
snow,
heavy
rain
and cold north winds.
What to see
Lambs
will be out on pasture and moorland.
Lapwings
which arrived late February will be establishing their territory
over pasture and moorland. They are so called because of their
undulating flight, and also known as "peewit" due to
its characteristic calling sound. You can see their aerobatic
tumbling which is part of their courtship ritual and territory
display.
Natural food for birds is easier for them to find as the insect
population increases and buds appear. Birds such as the
Blackbird,
Blue
Tit,
Chaffinch
and
Robin
will be singing more frequently, establishing territories in preparation
for nest building and rearing young. Putting out food for them
will still help at this time of year as the all too often sudden
cold snap can make it difficult.
Frogs
will continue to move to breeding ponds to spawn, replacing the
frogspawn
that may have died from frosts.
Key dates:
19 March 2005 Ladybirds
seen at Marsh near Oxenhope.
9th March 2007 Celadine
flowering near Long bridge.
24th March 2010 Coltsfoot
seen flowering at Haworth
First Bumble
Bee seen, 12th March 2007, 19th March 2009.
First Bats
seen, 14th March 2007, 10th March 2009, 26 March 2011.
24th March 2010 Chiffchaff
heard singing at Bridgehouse Beck
24th March 2010 Skylark
on Penistone and Haworth moor.
24th March 2010 Oystercatcher
seen at Leeshaw Reservoir.
5th March 2009 Curlew
seen at Ponden. 8th March 2009 seen on Haworth moor. 13th March
2010 at Haworth moor.
Lapwings
first seen 13th March 2009 at Leeshaw. 2nd March 2010 at Marsh.
9th March 2010, 2nd March 2011, Frogspawn
at Greenfields Haworth
Nivver a month throughout the year Changes so often or is
so queer.
Bill o 'th' Hoylus March 1873
Now winter's rage abates, an cheerful haars, Awakes the spring,
and spring awakes the flaars.
Bill o 'th' Hoylus March 1874
If you have any dates, information about weather or observations
about nature, stories or folklore relating to this month contact
us and if suitable will add to the page - please local to Haworth
and the surrounding area only.
