BIRDS

The March crow or Hooded crow(Corvus corone cornix) is beginning to make its nest. Other hedge birds like the female mistle thrush, blackbirds and song thrushes can be found sitting on eggs in the south. Finches are seeking to establish and guard where they hope to nest before the buds have burst and leaves have appeared for shelter.Most birds put off laying until late April when ther is more food available. The song of the blackcap can be heard.

FLOWERS

There are still lots of primroses, blooming early (prima rosa, the first rose) to catch the light befor trees break into leaf. They also need every drop of moisture, the wrinkles in a primrose leaf guide every drop inwards, to the roots.

INSECTS

Already the buzzing of bees can be heard; Bombus terrestris luconum if very big, the bumblebee queen may be seen stirring from hibernation in the hedge-bank. Bees need densely vegetated, unsprayed, unpolluted and varied territory with moss for nesting. In March there is little food around for the emergent queens, except for pussy willow catkins.