Wild Plum and Blackthorn are always amongst the first bushes to burst into flower in the spring. The Craneford triangle has a very good patch that brightens up the fields in March.

March is the month of awakening. Early buds break open throughout the Crane Valley, revealing succulent leaflets and the first splashes of floral colour. Bird song returns to fill the air.

Gallery pages: < 1 2 3 4 >

< 27 of 34 >

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Around 80 Harlequin Ladybirds huddle in the last throws of hibernation at the top of the Shot Tower. These large and highly variable insects are new arrivals in the U.K. and pose a significant threat to our native ladybird species.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Clumps of violets can be found on the forest floor of Crane Park in March. The delicate flowers seem to hang from their own little looping hat stands. Both purple and white flowers are easily seen close to the Shot Tower this month. Whether these are genuine wild violets or garden escapees is unknown.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > One plant that seems to be in flower almost every month of the year is White Dead-nettle. However in March it seems more evident as it races ahead of most the local flora and decorates open space throughout the Crane Valley.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > One of the commonest bird species along the Crane is the Wren, however its diminutive size and cryptic behaviour normally make it less observed than others. In March the Wrens are singing prolifically and endlessly from the scrub, often hopping high for greater accoustic effect.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Another willow species in flower in March, this time near the dipping platform on Crane Park Island. This is probably Osier.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Bumble-bees are one of the few insects that are easily seen in March. This looks like Bombus lapidarius, the Red-tailed Bumble-bee, here seen plundering an early March Dandelion.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > A Magpie stands out like an exotic fruit amidst the bare canopy of an ash tree.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Wild Plum and Blackthorn are always amongst the first bushes to burst into flower in the spring. The Craneford triangle has a very good patch that brightens up the fields in March.

Wild Plum and Blackthorn are always amongst the first bushes to burst into flower in the spring. The Craneford triangle has a very good patch that brightens up the fields in March.