Much of the site management during this period was focused on those areas of the site near the gravel tracks. Coppice and ride edge management was completed in these areas by the volunteer group who put in an impressive 155 work days over the three months.
By complete contrast virtually no rain fell in March and the sun shone continually but this came with a nagging cold easterly wind and cold nights.
By mid-February things were starting to happen. On the 22nd frogs were spawning in Bentley Green Pond and the first adder was seen. The first butterfly of the year was seen on 24th, a brimstone. On 10th March the toad migration had started, hundreds were seen heading towards the breeding pond in Gravel Pit Copse and by 20th huge amounts of spawn were seen along with a larger amount of frog spawn than is usual in this acidic pond.
A grass snake was seen on the 25 March, the first of the year.
By the end of March the usual 5 species of butterfly had been seen on the wing - brimstone, orange tip, red admiral, peacock and comma.
On 26th February I was cleaning out the dormouse boxes ready for when they emerge from hibernation and found a pygmy shrew in one of them an interesting record of this elusive species.
On 20th March a firecrest was seen and then on the 26th March a pair were seen exhibiting territorial behaviour in Upper Inhams Copse, a good indication that they will be breeding here.
The first spring migrant was a willow warbler on the 28th March and blackcaps started to sing on the 26th.
During the second half of March the wild daffodils in Mariners Copse put on a great display.
Graham Dennis - Basingstoke Area Reserves Officer - 07770891126 Graham.Dennis@hiwwt.org.uk
