Spring notes from the Common
March started in wintry mood with frost prevalent and iced-up ponds, although as the sun strengthened the warmth brought out a number of ‘Bluebottle’ flies (2nd March) and there was a report of a Slow Worm from Roy Dykes. A Tree Creeper working in clockwork fashion spiralled up an oak tree (6th March) while over the marshes the Barn Owl was seen hunting almost daily up to 13th March. By mid-month spring was beginning to take over winter and frog’s spawn appeared in the Newt Pond (15th March), some two weeks later than in recent years. Around this time the Kingfisher also departed. Bill Thirtle reported a Brimstone butterfly on 18th March, which incidentally is the average date that this butterfly emerges nationwide. The large yellow Brimstone is also thought to be the origin of the butterfly name, having been known as the ‘butter-coloured fly’. Bees and Toads also appeared around this time and further evidence that spring had ‘sprung’ came from the tell tale song of the Chiffchaff (20th March), which was followed by Peacock and Comma butterflies (24th March). About this time there were also reports of a Firecrest singing. These small birds, which are similar to a Goldcrest have in recent years become more common with many breeding pairs noted in the area, particularly along the Cromer – Holt ridge.
March started in wintry mood with frost prevalent and iced-up ponds, although as the sun strengthened the warmth brought out a number of ‘Bluebottle’ flies (2nd March) and there was a report of a Slow Worm from Roy Dykes. A Tree Creeper working in clockwork fashion spiralled up an oak tree (6th March) while over the marshes the Barn Owl was seen hunting almost daily up to 13th March. By mid-month spring was beginning to take over winter and frog’s spawn appeared in the Newt Pond (15th March), some two weeks later than in recent years. Around this time the Kingfisher also departed. Bill Thirtle reported a Brimstone butterfly on 18th March, which incidentally is the average date that this butterfly emerges nationwide. The large yellow Brimstone is also thought to be the origin of the butterfly name, having been known as the ‘butter-coloured fly’. Bees and Toads also appeared around this time and further evidence that spring had ‘sprung’ came from the tell tale song of the Chiffchaff (20th March), which was followed by Peacock and Comma butterflies (24th March). About this time there were also reports of a Firecrest singing. These small birds, which are similar to a Goldcrest have in recent years become more common with many breeding pairs noted in the area, particularly along the Cromer – Holt ridge.
The very distinctive down-scaling call of the Willow Warbler was evident from 4th April and as the days lengthened insects became more apparent with Gorse Shieldbugs noted from 9th April and that latest threat to native British wildlife, the Harlequin Ladybird was spotted (11th April). These ladybirds, originally from Japan but used extensively for biological pest control in Europe, have been estimated to affect around a 1000 species of UK insects. An Adder was noted (21st April) with Common Whitethroat, Orange-tip butterfly and Green Tiger Beetles seen 23rd April.
The first Cuckoo of the year was reported by my wife, Cherry during an early morning walk on 24th April and later that day a pair of Siskins were seen. A very warm southerly wind over the next couple of days brought in some migrants with four Wheatears found by Carl Brooker (25th April) followed by a Redstart. Many small bees were active around this time including the brightly coloured Tawny Mining Bee. Roy Dykes reported a Marsh Harrier passing over (27th April) and a Lesser Whitethroat was heard singing (28th April). By this time many Orange-tips were on the wing including the odd female, which is often overlooked as it does not have the distinctive orange-tipped wings of the male.
The first Cuckoo of the year was reported by my wife, Cherry during an early morning walk on 24th April and later that day a pair of Siskins were seen. A very warm southerly wind over the next couple of days brought in some migrants with four Wheatears found by Carl Brooker (25th April) followed by a Redstart. Many small bees were active around this time including the brightly coloured Tawny Mining Bee. Roy Dykes reported a Marsh Harrier passing over (27th April) and a Lesser Whitethroat was heard singing (28th April). By this time many Orange-tips were on the wing including the odd female, which is often overlooked as it does not have the distinctive orange-tipped wings of the male.
May proved to be dry with lower than average rainfall and above average mean temperatures with many sunny days. The first Marsh Orchids were out 9th May, with Holly Blue and Green Hairstreak butterflies along with a fine Roe Deer male resplendent with antlers noted 12th May. Garden Warblers were also singing around this time. Large Red Damselflies were hatching (17th May) and a Whinchat was reported by Mike Ball (18th May). The Common Blue and tiny Brown Argus butterflies were about (19th May) and a Reed Warbler was singing as a Cuckoo was over flying southwards (22nd May). On the morning 23rd May a Buzzard (not determined whether Common or Honey) passed westwards and a Sedge Warbler dropped in briefly. Large Red, Azure and Blue-tailed Damselflies were all spotted at the Newt Pond along with the Reed Beetle (Donacia simplex) and that evening Alf Mullings visited the Common and reported seeing a Woodcock ‘roding’, i.e. a display flight where a male repeatedly flies around an area, usually low and fast but with slow, owl-like wing beats. Three Roe Deer were also seen. A Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly was reported by Carl Brooker (24th May) and a female Broad-bodied Chaser was noted over the marshes (27th May). As the Bank Holiday weekend approached the weather turned dramatically worse with strong north-westerly winds and at times thunderstorms, however, the rain was a welcome for the wildlife as ponds were beginning to dry. Meadow Saxifrage and Common Star of Bethlehem were found on the Top Common (29th May) and the first Dog Rose was flowering on Sheringham Common (30th May). The forecasters were talking of a return to warmer weather so by the time you read this maybe it will be ‘flaming’ June.
Francis Farrow
Hon. Warden
www.beestoncommon.org.uk
Francis Farrow
Hon. Warden
www.beestoncommon.org.uk
Roe Deer
Orange-tip on Cuckoo Flower