March 2012

The village is alive with the sound of birdsong; a ‘chorus’ of House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfiches, Dunnocks, Great and Blue Tits, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Robins can be heard. This is one of the signs that spring is just around the corner as birds start establishing territories.

March is when we think of  the‘mad-March-Hare’, why? Perhaps because it is the time of year when female hares can be seen resisting the optimistic advances of the males by display of ‘boxing’ with their paws. We have not been privileged to see this yet, but we have seen them frantically running across the arable landscape and along country lanes just outside the village.

We have had several records of Hen Harriers by several witnesses; near Bowling Green Wood, Marley Wood and over the Five Marys, as well as Coombe Heath. Perhaps our last chances to see these magnificent raptors before they return to upland breeding areas from late March and stay there until August and September.

Frogs and Toads emerge from their hiding places and make their way to chosen breeding grounds. One evening in East Lulworth I spotted a Toad desperately crossing the road to Lulworth Castle’s exit, perhaps on its way to the nearby pond.

This is a good time of year to identify plants by their leaves as they start to surface in Woodlands, on grass verges and Chalk Downland. The leaves of Orchids, Plantains, Cowslips and Yarrow are among the mosaic of plants starting to appear on Bindon Hill.

For the flower of the month we have chosen Lesser Celandines; it is a delight to see them open up their bright yellow petals to the sunshine when not much else is out in flower.

If anyone is interested in learning about what the Lulworth Estate’s future plans are for habitat management across the estate, come along to West Lulworth Village Hall for 7.30pm on the 21st March.