What to watch out for in March

Possibly a little later this year after the hard winter but the first signs of spring should be appearing. Look out for frogs and toads as the frost free nights encourage them to breed. Common buzzards can also be seen circling. The raven may well have already had their brood and young birds can be observed flying in family groups overhead. Sand martins and early-arriving swallows should begin to start passing through as migration begins. As the first warm spring days arrive butterflies such as brimstone and small tortoiseshell will be on the wing. Listen out for the beginnings of a dawn chorus as chiffchaffs and blackcaps join blackbirds, song thrushes and robins heralding spring.