March 2011

Report from Pat Morris

Tree and shrubs in bloom

Viburnum " Eve Price", Mahonia aquifolium, Winter honeysuckle, Flowering
Currant, Forsythia , pussy Willow, Daphne Laureola, Cherry Plum,

Plants; Dame's Violet, Red deadnettle, Perennial Candytuft, Polyanthus,
Bergenia, Vinca major, Green Hellebore, Red Hellebore, Hyacinths,Daffodil
species , esp. Tete- a-tete. Lesser celandine, Cowslip, Lungwort, Primula
rosea, Double Marsh- marigold in pond

Finishing : Snowdrops and Crocuses

Birds : Three Blackcaps as last month
Occasional Great Spotted Woodpecker. Other birds as normal.
The frogs are all gone, but two cats regularly visiting the pond are the
possible cause. One of the cats caught a bird bathing in the pond one
lunch time Frogspawn still developing

Insects
By the end of the month many species of bees, especially 2-3 Bombus
hypnorum (Tree Bumblebee) queens (1st seen 07/03/11) Seven-spot Ladybirsd
Brimstone butterfly (12/03/11 and 23/03/11)

Moths : Hebrew Character (23/03/11 )

Sightings from Roy Barkes

Birds
March 15th Grange Farm 4 Yellowhammers
March 23rd Common Wood 55 Redwings
March 30th Penn Wood 1 Marsh Tit

Butterflies and Moths
March 22nd Tylers Green Brimstone
March 23rd Common Wood Orange Underwing
March 23rd Puttenham Farm Small Tortoiseshell

Sighting from Harry Wheate in Downley

March 12th Brimstone(M)