Every month, we are following in the footsteps of local wildlife photographer Jonathan Lewis. Here is his perspective of what was happening in wild Norfolk during March.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to write my page for the Norwichh Evening News last month due to a broken wrist, but I am now ready to return to writing and photography again.
My last couple of months have been very busy preparing for a photography project for another Archant publication, Photography Monthly magazine.
I will be photographing the life around a 600-year-old oak tree in Norfolk and documenting the activities of its inhabitants over the next six months. As much of the life will be in the canopy and branches a four-metre platform has been built from which I can photograph from.
It's going to be a challenge but I am already beginning to photograph some of the life around the tree, ranging from invertebrates such as this black snake millipede still in hibernation waiting for spring to the feathered occupants ranging from coal tits to buzzards.
Last time I wrote I focused on the cold weather and how our wild neighbours deal with the tougher winter months.
Since then it doesn't feel like much has changed and we have unseasonably cold weather with snow still being forecast!
This has had a knock-on effect on the small birds as warmer weather would provide them with new food sources such as insects.
Instead they are still toughing it out and waiting for the warmer weather before they begin their breeding season.
This is shown well by the long-tailed tits who split up into pairs to build nests during the brief warm spell, but have now clustered together into large groups again to keep warm whilst waiting for spring.
Despite the cold weather, signs of life are slowly appearing everywhere. Snowdrops are now in full bloom and bluebell shoots are carpeting woodland floors.
As soon as the temperature increases everything is going to burst into life, the long-tailed tits will pair up again and we can all start enjoying some warmth and sunshine.
April wildlife to watch out for…
- Badger cubs emerging
- Mole activity increasing, not good news for the lawn!
- The calls of skylarks filling the air
- Full emergence of adders, grass snakes and slow worms
Jonathan Lewis is a wildlife photographer based near Norwich. He runs a variety of courses and tours both in Norfolk and further afield. For more information visit www.norfolk-wildlife-photography.co.uk or www.facebook.com/norfolkwildlifephotography.
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