NATURE DIARY ON THE MARSH

Nature Calendar of the Marsh
Of the more common species

SPRING

 MARCH

Flowers -

On Purewell Stream side of Central marsh – Marsh Marigold.

Amongst the scrub & on Crouch Hill – Celandine, and Violets.

Butterflies -

Emerging from hibernation are Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral& Brimstone.

Emerging from pupae is the Holly Blue, & Speckled Wood.

Birds -

Summer migrants arriving are Sandwich Tern, Sand Martin, & Lesser Black-backed Gull

(although some are resident).

Winter migrants leaving are Turnstone.

Nesting around the marsh are Mute Swan, Blackbird, Stonechat & Long-tailed Tit.

The Heron will be nesting (hopefully) on Hengistbury Head.

Possibly with young is the Mallard duck.

 

APRIL

Flowers -

East & South marshes will be splashed with colour of the pink Thrift, and in wetter areas – particularly around pool edges white Scurvy Grass.

Butterflies -

Emerging from pupae are Small White, Large White, & Small Copper.

A summer migrant arriving is the Painted Lady.

Birds -

Summer migrants arriving are Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, Little Tern Reed Warbler,

Swallow, & Yellow Wagtail.

Nesting is the Meadow Pipit, Greenfinch, Linnet, & Reed Bunting.

Hatching are Mallard Duck, & Swans.

Winter migrants leaving are Black-tailed Godwits, Brent Geese, & Knot.

Dragonflies -

Emerging is the Large Red Damselfly.

Pools -

During the month, many invertebrates will slowly emerge from their protection within the mud during the harshness of winter.  These will include Corophium, Gammarus, and Sphaeroma. Small fish, crustaceans, shrimps and Ragworms will also add to the rich supply of food for wading birds.

 

MAY

Flowers -

Water Crowfoot occurs in several pools. 

On the borders of Purewell Stream and surrounding marshland - Ragged Robin,

Water Forget-me-not, Watercress & Yellow Iris.

On Central Marsh & outer marshland – Celery-leaved Buttercup.

On the drier areas are Least Birdsfoot Trefoil, Changing Forget-me-not, Black Meddick, and Birdsfoot Trefoil.

Butteflies -

Emerging is the Green-veined White – seen in the damper areas of marshland.

A summer migrant arriving is the Red Admiral.

Caterpillars of the Small Tortoiseshell & Peacock can be seen on nettles.

Birds -

Nesting (generally within rabbit burrows) is the Shelduck, and in the reed beds – the

Reed Warbler.

With young are the Swans.

Dragonflies -

Emerging are Azure & Blue-tailed Damselflies, Banded Demoiselle, Large Red Damselfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, & Scarce Chaser.

Also in flight will be the Brown Hawker, Emperor, and possibly Golden-ringed Dragonfly.

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Egret