Nature

Swifts and House Martins are returning from their winter migrations in Africa so look out for them nesting under the eaves of houses, and if you’ve got one they should be returning to last year’s nest box.

Dragonflies and damselflies are now a regular sight around water including ponds/ditches and along the River Wey and Canal.  Kingfishers can also be seen darting along the river at low level no doubt taking food back to the nest with the first brood about to fledge – probably your best chance to see a young kingfisher perched on a branch while they work out the dangers of life.

You’ll also see young Coots & Moorhens together with Mallard ducklings, Canadian Geese goslings and Mute Swan cygnets.

Flower meadows are in full bloom with a plethora of butterflies and other insects – essential food for birds.  Roadside verges are also in bloom where they have been left un-mown, an equally important habitat for insects and small animals.

Hobbies will be flying up and down the river catching dragonflies.  Swifts, Swallows & Bats are catching insects in the early evening.

Young birds are calling for food from the bushes & hedges everywhere so its important to resist the temptation to prune excessively – you might expose their nest or presence to predators such as domestic cats.

Deer have given birth to fawns which will be carefully concealed in the long grass. Young foxes and badger cubs are now starting to emerge and can be seen at dusk playing in the last of the summer light.

Tree’s and hedgerows are now starting to show signs of life with bud’s appearing and spring flowers everywhere including primroses & daffodils as well as the last of the snowdrops. The trees are in bud and the hedgerows are full of colour as the Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Sallow, Hazel & Crab Apple all blossom.

Early butterflies such as the Brimstone are emerging together with Bumblebees and Ladybirds.

Coots are mating and nesting along the River Wey & Canal as well as the many ponds. Watch out for their frequent fighting to maintain territories or secure a mate.

Also mating are the amphibians with frogspawn in ponds everywhere and toads returning from winter hibernation to inhabit their summer aquatic environment.

Summer migrants are starting to arrive including Skylarks, Chiff-chaff’s, House Martins and Swallows.  Nest building is starting everywhere…  Badger cubs will soon start to emerge for the first time to venture above-ground.

Things to do:-

• Put out nuts & seeds and water for birds especially if the ground is frozen.
• Hedgehogs should now be coming out of hibernation if it’s been a cold winter.
• Why not check your boundaries and where possible create an access point for a hedgehog highway. All that’s required is a small hole 13cm x 13cm in a wall or fence to enable hedgehogs to move between garden to forage etc.
• Make or buy a hedgehog house to put in your garden. Get yours from Woking & District Men’s Shed on wadmshed@gmail.com
• Prune hedges & Trees. Last chance before the nesting season starts in April.