Countryside In March

Wildlife Watching In March

Brown Hare - March is said to be the best and easiest time to see hares, before the greenery of the spring growth starts to hide them from view. Hares can be found all over the country - though they are not as common as they used to be, largely thanks to loss of suitable habitats - with reported 'hotspots' being around Wiltshire, Hampshire and East Anglia. Hares breed throughout the spring and summer but are particularly associated with this month - remember 'mad march hares' - and March is a good time to try to see them  'boxing' which is part of their 'courtship and fending off'.

Birds In March

There's plenty of arrival from overseas to look forward to, plus plenty of setting up of territories too...

With lengthening days and the promise of spring in the air you'll probably notice more birdsong when you're out and about in the garden or woods. This is a great opportunity to learn and recognise the songs of the various birds as there are fewer birds singing to start with and you can pinpoint the sounds more easily - blackbirds, robins and thrushes are probably the most familiar ones to start with. There are many books and CDs you can buy or borrow from a library to help you learn all the different tunes and then match them up with their singers.


Wheatear- arrive in the SW first, along southern coast by late March, then set up territories in our uplands before starting courtship.

Lapwings - setting up territories this month and the males will be performing their amazing 'noisy tumbling flight' looking as though they are going to go crashing to the ground, recovering just at the last moment, quite heart-stopping to see!

Birds of prey - common buzzards and sparrowhawks are good ones to look out for doing their swooping displays and dives as, again, they look to set up territories.


Flora In March
Snowdrops - you might still catch snowdrops in some parts of the Uk this month, especially in the more northern areas

Primroses - pretty wild primroses, golden in colour, look for them in hedgerows

Daffodils - a real springtime favourite, their bright yellow colouring brightening up nthe countryside. See our separate blog entry on where to go for great daffodil walks this month

Wood Anemones -  a delicate white and pale yellow flower found on the floors of open areas in woodland. A clear indicator of ancient woodlands, they have a weak but sweet perfume.

Lesser Celandines - another pretty yellow flowering ground cover found in woodlands in spring.