March the imposter

March 1st never fails to get me excited. It says "Spring". It says "lighter evenings". It says "migrants". But all too often, after several days of the third month, nothing much has really changed. There might be a handful of early migrants reported on the coast, but generally these will fizzle away and leave us wondering if we dreamed about such observations. It is then that I believe that what March really says is "fooled you again, sucker..."

It happens every year. A warmish mid-March day will provide a few butterflies, a Wheatear and a Little Ringed Plover. I will stand there breathing in the air as if it is charged with life itself (which I suppose it is), look around at the rude health of the fresh green vegetation lit by the sunlight and marvel at the hundreds of insects that have come to life. And then, the following day, all has been replaced by a nasty cold wind, scudding low grey clouds and the natural world seems to have retreated and gone back underground. This situation can then last for days. If I'm being honest, the same is experienced in April - and while I'm being negative, even May. But this is our reward for living as far north and as far west as we do. So, when one of those warm, calm days appears (maybe as early as Sunday according to the Met Office), don't take it for granted!

Comments

Warren Baker said…
Oh! I was so looking forward to this weekend :-)
3 March 2015 at 13:55
Derek Faulkner said…
A really accurate description of how most of us wildlife watchers experience those first days of Spring and to emphasise that point, a Wheatear was seen at Portland yesterday.
3 March 2015 at 16:26
Simon Douglas Thompson said…
I await the song of the chiff chaff and the rise of the brimstones...both on same day last year!
3 March 2015 at 17:09
Steve Gale said…
Gents, at least there should be a handful of proper Spring days this month, with warmth, butterflies and birds just in from Africa!
3 March 2015 at 23:17
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