March 12, 2025 • 46 mins
This week, the Wildlife Matters Podcast delves into the exhilarating arrival of spring as we celebrate the Spring Equinox. We want to inspire our listeners to venture outdoors and immerse themselves in the vibrant natural world awakening from winter's slumber.
Our discussion highlights the return of beavers to the British landscape, heralded as a pivotal moment for biodiversity. We also explore early nesting behaviors among birds in a captivating way. Furthermore, we present compelling stories of ocean mammals observed in the English Channel, emphasizing the importance of wildlife conservation. Join us as we uncover the beauty and significance of the signs of spring, fostering a deeper connection with nature.
This week's Wildlife Matters Podcast embodies a spirit of rejuvenation and anticipation as we transition from the desolate confines of winter into the vibrant embrace of spring. With the advent of the equinox, we are reminded of nature's cyclical rebirth, prompting us to venture outdoors and engage with the awakening world around us. The episode features an exploration of the resounding spring chorus, which heralds the arrival of warmer days, alongside an auditory experience of local bird songs captured during this transformative season. In light of current global anxieties, our focus remains firmly on the thrilling narratives of wildlife, particularly the remarkable ocean mammals inhabiting the English Channel, and the heartening news of beavers returning to British waters. We also delve into the intriguing phenomenon of birds nesting earlier, revealing the impacts of climate change on avian behaviors. As we conclude this episode, listeners are invited to immerse themselves in the soothing sounds of nature, reaffirming the profound connection between our well-being and the natural world.
Takeaways:
- The arrival of spring is heralded by the equinox, marking a time of renewal and optimism.
- This episode features the return of beavers to Britain, emphasizing their ecological importance and role as a keystone species.
- We explore the early nesting habits of various bird species, which are increasingly affected by climate change and shifting seasonal patterns.
- The podcast highlights the significance of the dawn chorus and encourages listeners to engage with nature's beauty in spring.
- Listeners are motivated to immerse themselves in the natural world to enhance mental and physical well-being during the vibrant spring season.
- This episode encourages sharing the podcast to spread awareness about wildlife and nature conservation efforts.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Wildlife Matters
- Natural England
- Sussex Dolphin Project
- National Trust
- British Trust for Ornithology
- Derek Gow
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:27):
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters podcast.
And you find us in optimisticmood today, as the long, dark days
of winter are mostly behind usnow and spring is just around the
corner.
So we are taking the time toexamine some signs of spring that
you can find in nature right now.
(00:50):
This week, the equinox heraldsthe beginning of spring.
Spring.
We want to motivate you toleave your warm homes and enter the
bright yet chilly natural world.
One thing that is hard to missis the spring chorus, which is growing
louder and longer every dayand should continue all the way through
(01:13):
to early May.
We will share our local springchorus, which was recorded just a
few days ago on this week'sWildlife Matters.
Mindful moments.
But before that, with so much happening.
In the world and many people feeling.
Anxious about the future, atWildlife Matters we focus firmly
(01:36):
on wildlife and nature bysharing stories about some of the
incredible ocean mammals thathave been sighted in the English
Channel this year.
We're also sharing theexciting news that.
Natural England has confirmedthe beavers are.
Back in the wild in Britain,with the first releases meant to
(02:00):
be happening this week.
And our final story asks thequestion, why are birds nesting earlier
in Britain?
To answer it, we have anarticle written by Wildlife Matters.
So join me at the WildlifeMatters and news desk for this week's
biggest wildlife and naturestory on Wildlife Matters Nature
(02:26):
News.
Hello.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Nature News,
(02:49):
where we're reporting andreview some of the stories that are
impacting on wildlife andnature this week.
Our first story is about somemarine life spotted off the south
coast this year.
And whilst Brighton becomes ahot spot for sun and fun seekers
from all over England in thesummer months, the beloved seaside
(03:13):
resort is not really known asbeing a haven for marine wildlife.
But according to the localSussex Dolphin Project, the area
is teeming with life, fromseals and cat sharks to dolphins
and whales.
To challenge the view that thewaters off Brighton are lifeless,
(03:36):
the Not For Profit iscurrently educating and inspiring
locals and visitors alikeabout the many species, including
cetaceans, that call theEnglish Channel and more particularly
the Sussex coastline home.
Thea Taylor, the director ofthe Sussex Dolphin Project, told
(03:56):
us.
While we don't have a residentpopulation within Sussex, dolphins
and porpoises are recorded offthe coast all year round.
Over the winter period,sightings tend to be further offshore,
as cetaceans head out to morestable conditions in deeper water
and only head inshore over thesummer, sometimes as little as 20
(04:20):
meters from the beach, whilebottlenose dolphins make up the biggest
proportion of the cetaceansseen off Brighton.
Common white beaked sightingsand the elusive harbour porpoise
have also been recorded.
Additionally, in the past fewmonths, visitors to the East Sussex
(04:40):
area have been surprised bythe increasing number of humpback
whale sightings off the coast.
According to the SussexDolphin Project, there have been
56 sightings made between 2024and the 2025 winter season.
@ the time of recording, theSussex Dolphin Project seeks to collect
(05:03):
as much data as possible onwhale and dolphin sightings to help
educate the public andgenerate widespread interest in the
topic.
Our data drives everythingelse that happens in our organization,
said Taylor.
We currently relypredominantly on opportunistic sightings
from members of the public andthe local fishing and leisure boat
(05:26):
community who are our eyes and ears.
On the Water Projectestablished a land watch volunteer
service scheme to harness thepower of citizen science and gather
more data on the species.
The scheme trains members ofthe public to spot dolphins from
land and collect data on theindividuals that they see.
(05:48):
The sightings to date,combined with efforts from other
regional organizations tocreate a sightings network have allowed
the project to understand keyareas for cetaceans.
In addition to their datagathering efforts, the Sussex Dolphin
Project tries to inspire thelocal community about conservation
(06:11):
issues along the Sussex coastline.
It encourages change in humanbehavior that will lead to increasingly
sustainable practices andinspire future generations of ocean
conservationists.
Like others in the regions,the cetaceans of Sussex are impacted
(06:31):
by various threats.
The eastern English Channelexperiences many industrial large
scale fishing activities,severely impacting local biodiversity
and small scale fishingcommunities that rely on local fish
stocks for their income.
Sussex dolphin populationsface major habitat degradation, noise
(06:56):
pollution within the EnglishChannel and pfas or per ant polyfluorinated
akyl substances, also known asforever chemicals, which impact cetaceans
globally.
The Sussex Dolphin Project haslaunched a crowdfunding campaign
to help them fund a research vessel.
(07:18):
The goal is to collect moredolphin sighting data, learn more
about the threats of dolphinspecies faced within the region and
to better protect the dolphins.
A key priority must be getting out.
On the water more frequentlyto allow.
Us to research cetaceans onthe water, said Taylor.
Right now, whenever we need tohead out to sea to monitor dolphins,
(07:41):
we must charter a boat by the hour.
This limits how often, howlong we can be on the water for and
how far we can go out.
We are seeing more dolphins,porpoises and whales than ever before
and that means we need to bethere to monitor and protect them
reducing the risk of boatstrikes, disturbance and displacement
(08:05):
whilst researching the impactsof other human threats.
Above all, the growing climateand nature emergency make us all
aware that we must step up andand protect our local species.
We could do so much more withour own boat.
So if you are able to help theSussex Dolphin Project with their
(08:27):
crowdfunder, do visit theirwebsite where you will find all the
information.
Our second story is a win forwildlife and nature and that is the
exciting news that beavers are back.
Yes, the rodent everybodyloves helps to combat drought and
(08:49):
boosts biodiversity.
Its reintroduction is welcomeand long overdue.
The first time I laid eyes ona beaver was a few years ago on a
Devon farm of Derek Gow.
The farmer turnd rewilder whobrought the furry rodents back to
the UK over 30 years ago.
(09:12):
It was magical.
Sitting in the June dusk andthe pink and purple sky was reflected
in the still ponds of thebeaver area.
Suddenly, ripples emerged fromthe lodge and the head of a kit,
a baby beaver, popped up from underwater.
Watching this fascinating,very cute creature collect willow
(09:36):
branches in its mouth was aheart stopping moment.
It felt like peeking into asecret world.
But this scene will becomemore standard across England after
the government announced lastFriday that beavers can be legally
released into the wild for thefirst time.
The rodents were a commonfeature of our rivers until around
(09:59):
400 years ago when they werehunted to to extinction for their
pelts and the oils that they secrete.
So this is the return of acreature that belongs here and that
we cruelly extinguish from our landscape.
But it's a much more criticalmoment than that.
We have screwed up our riversover the centuries, straightening
(10:22):
them, divorcing them fromfloodplains and destroying the surrounding
habitats.
And this causes increasedflooding and makes it more difficult
for nature to thrive.
Beavers can heal this.
They are known as a keystonespecies, meaning their presence creates
habitats for other creatures,including fish, amphibians and insects.
(10:48):
Beavers alleviate flooding.
Their dams are leaky, whichmeans rivers flow more steadily and
rainwater isn't dumped all atonce into our towns and villages.
The beavers on the River Otterin Devon, one of our free living
populations have managed toprevent the village downstream from
flooding.
(11:09):
As climate change bringsheavier rainfall, their flood reduction
services will become more invaluable.
In the Czech Republic, thegovernment planned a flood prevention
scheme involving a dam.
But the beavers arrived first,building their dam in the exact location
planned by officials andsaving Czech taxpayers the equivalent
(11:33):
of over £1 million.
Beavers also help reduce theimpact of drought.
In the dry summer of 2022,when farmers struggle to grow grass
for livestock and plant crops,a lucky few in Devon and Corn Cornwall,
where there are beavers, didnot face the same problems.
(11:53):
Right now, England's beaversare mostly in.
Enclosures, where they havebeen released by conservationists
who have observed their impacton a few constrained acres of land.
In the coming days, theseindustrious rodents will be living
free all over the country,with the first expected to be released
(12:14):
by the National Trust at thePurbeck Heaths in Dorset, and I urge
you to go and visit so you toocan experience the magic of watching
wild beavers.
This week's third story askswhy birds are nesting earlier in
Britain, and this is anarticle written by Wildlife Matters.
(12:40):
The early nesters Spring inthe UK.
Signals the beginning of thenesting period.
For wild birds, a vibrantchapter in the seasonal cycle of
nature.
Interestingly, many speciesembark on their nesting journeys
even before spring officiallyarrives, and some, like the wood
(13:02):
pigeons, choose to nestthroughout the entire year, adapting
remarkably to their environment.
The nesting season lasts fromFebruary through to August, with
peak activity occurringbetween March and July.
However, the narratives ofthese feathered inhabitants vary.
(13:24):
While some birdsenthusiastically start nesting in
February, others forge theirpaths nesting year round, regardless
of the season.
The British Trust forOrnithology has noted a significant
shift in the timing of thenesting season, attributing this
change to climate change.
(13:46):
What was once a relativelystable cycle is now occurring approximately
30 days earlier than it did inthe 1960s.
This early onset could lead tochallenges, particularly if the rest
of the natural world does notadjust accordingly.
Many plants and insects whichform the essential diet for these
(14:08):
birds, have not kept pace andoften emerge later than the birds
start nesting.
Fortunately, in a hopefultwist of fate, climatic conditions
have prompted some plants andinsects to surface a month earlier,
alleviating some potentialmismatches in timing.
(14:29):
When it comes to the earlynesters, the crossbills are the leaders,
but they're predominantlyfound in the rugged landscapes of
Scotland.
These resilient birds canbegin nursing as early as January,
and considering the chillynorthern climate, this choice may
seem unconventional.
(14:50):
But it works to theiradvantage, as their food safety sources
are also plentiful in Scotlandduring this time.
As February arrives, a varietyof other.
Birds join the nestingprocession, including long.
Tailed tits, long eared owls,herons and ravens.
(15:10):
The surge of activitycontinues into March, when popular
garden birds like robins andblackbirds debut in the nesting season
seen making the start of theseason filled with the sounds of
chirping and the sights ofindustrious feathered parents preparing
for their young.
(15:31):
Many birds lives are dictatedmainly by their food sources.
For example, blackbirds mainlyfeed on worms.
Which are much easier to findin softer, damp winter soil than
the hard baked ground ofsummer or spring.
Owls, on the other hand, feedtheir chicks small mammals.
(15:51):
By nesting early in theseason, they can benefit from shorter
grass and fewer plants in theundergrowth, making it easier for
them to find prey.
This allows them to adequatelyfeed themselves and their young without
expanding too much energy.
The long tailed tit constructsan elaborate nest which takes a significant
(16:14):
amount of time to build, andas a result, even though they begin
building during February, theyusually don't lay their first eggs
until April.
Conversely, some birds, likethe grey heron, do not need to make
a new nest each year.
They simply repair last year's nest.
They must start early though,as grey heron chicks take about eight
(16:37):
weeks to fledge.
So if they don't begin early,there might not be enough favorable
weather to.
Help the young learn how andwhere to find their food.
Similar to rooks and otherbirds that.
Mate for life, they do notwaste time finding a partner and
can start nesting as earlieras February each year.
(16:58):
In Britain, the earliestnesters include long tailed tits,
long eared owls, herons,ravens, tawny owls, blackbirds, chiff
chaps, great tits, nuthatches,robins, all the native corvid species,
missile thrushes, wrens, songthrushes, peregrine falcons, buzzards,
(17:21):
and on the water, ducks,coots, kingfishers, crested grebe,
gulls, guillemots and oystercatchers.
In Britain, two groups ofbirds tend to nest later than others.
The first group consists ofthe seed eating birds such as finches,
(17:42):
which delay their nestinguntil they can ensure a reliable
food supply for their young.
And the second group are themigratory birds that arrive in April
and sometimes May and nestalmost every immediately upon arrival.
These would include theswallows, swifts and the martins.
(18:03):
The best way to help nestingbirds is to leave them alone.
In the uk, knowingly damagingor destroying an occupied bird's
nest is a criminal offense.
Occupied doesn't just refer tonests with eggs or chicks.
Even disturbing a nest that'sbeing built counts as occupied.
(18:27):
Most birds in the Britaintypically will finish raising their
brood by the end of August.
However, in mild autumn, somebirds may go on to raise another
brood, which can extend thenesting season until late October.
Unlike most garden birds,pigeons and collared doves do not
(18:49):
require this as they don'tdepend on invertebrates to feed their
young.
And that was this week'sWildlife Matters Nature News.
If you have a story you feelwe should be sharing on Wildlife
Matters Nature News, thenplease do get in touch by dropping
us an email.
Our email address is in theshow Notes it's fantastic news that
(19:30):
beavers are finally back inthe wild in Britain.
Although many have beenthriving in the wild for some time,
it's still good.
News that they will be joinedby many, many more.
We hope you enjoyed ourarticle on why birds are nesting
earlier.
The article neatly leads usinto this week's Wildlife Matters
(19:53):
a mindful moment, which is thebeautiful and melodic dawn chorus
that is getting louder andlonger every day.
So if you can sit back, closeyour eyes and enjoy the melodic dawn.
Chorus on this week's WildlifeMatters Mindful.
(20:16):
Moments, I hope you let thedawn chorus gently move your senses.
(21:47):
The lead bird was the humble blackbird.
The male singing is one of thefirst and most melodic and beautiful
bird songs that we seem tounderappreciate as we see blackbirds
in our gardens every day.
But just take a moment tolisten, especially when he is joined,
(22:07):
which is often the case by hisfellow thrush cousins, the Song and
the missile thrush, making atrio that rivals any combination
in nature for the beauty oftheir bird song.
You may also have recognized awood pigeon, blue tit and robin,
(22:29):
but I wonder how many of youpicked out the nuthatch that was
perched on a hazel tree justto the right of me.
The dawn chorus leads us tothis week's Wildlife a main feature
which features.
Some of the early signs of spring.
That you can find whilst outin nature this week.
(22:52):
So pull on your boots, getyour hat and scarf and join me as
we explore nature to discoversome of the signs of spring in this
week's Wildlife Matters SpringEquinox Special Main Feature.
(23:20):
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Main feature.
And today we're celebratingthe spring equinox.
As William Cowper said, springhangs her infant blossoms on the
trees rot in the cradle of thewestern breeze.
So are you ready to welcomespring with open arms?
(23:44):
Yes.
It's time to put away thosewinter coats and scarves and get
out and enjoy being outdoors.
And what better way to do that.
Than by exploring thewonderful nature in your local area?
But before we start, let'squickly take a look at the origins
(24:06):
of the calendar.
Did you know that the vernalequinox marks the start of spring
for our ancestors and that theword comes from the Latin ver, which
means spring, and nox, whichmeans night.
The vernal equinox occurstwice a year in spring and autumn,
(24:27):
when the sun is exactly abovethe equator and day and night are
equal in length.
And in years like 2024, it wasa leap year, which means that while
some parts of the worldcelebrated the spring equinox on
the 19th of March, here in theUK it would have been 3.06am on the
(24:52):
20th of March due to theearth's tilted access.
The equinoxes vary from March19 to March 21 each year, although,
interestingly, we haven't hadan equinox on the 21st 1st of March
in this century, and actuallywe won't have another one until the
(25:13):
year 2101.
According to medieval birdwatchers, spring begins on February
14th.
It's the day when the birdsstart to mate and the plants begin
to grow.
So we can indeed say thatspring is now here.
(25:33):
It's time to head out to yourlocal wild spaces and feast your
eyes on that good green stuff.
And while you're outside, whynot look for some of the fantastic
wildlife that comes out toplay during the spring season?
There's so much to see andexplore, from the colorful butterflies
(25:57):
to the song of the birds.
So take a deep breath of thatfresh spring air and let's welcome
spring together.
One of the signs of spring isthe green spears.
Amid meditative browns are thewild garlic leaves, the foliage that
loves summer shelter andwinter light.
(26:20):
Have you noticed there's apungent aroma wafting through the
woods lately?
That's the wild garlic poppingup in the woodlands and under the
hedgerows.
You can often smell it beforeyou can see it.
It's that intense with itsbeguiling, heady aroma.
(26:40):
But before you start foragingfor wild garlic, remember some simple
rules.
Firstly, make sure you havecorrectly identified before eating
it.
Secondly, only take what youneed and leave at least 80% of the
plants or mushrooms that youmay find.
(27:03):
And it's important to rememberthat some plants must flower and
produce seeds yearly.
Wildlife also depends on themas a food source.
Did you know that wild garlicis also known as bear garlic in the
US and Canada because it'sbelieved bears have eaten it after
(27:24):
a long winter's sleep to helpthem regain their strength.
And in many parts of Europe,it is known as ransoms or rampion.
Magic and folklore.
Wild garlic is said to keepaway evil creatures such as vampires.
In some cultures, athleteswere told to chew the plant to help
(27:46):
them win their race.
Early Christians also used theflowers to decorate their churches
on the feast day of St Alphege.
And one of my favourite waysto enjoy wild garlic is to make a
nettle pakora, a delicioustreat that is also vegan.
(28:06):
So why not give that a try?
And I'll leave a link in theshow notes to a recipe from Rachel
Lambert of Wild WalksSouthwest on how to make it.
Of course, if you've got wildgarlic and you're going to make that
pakora, you're going to needto find some nettles.
As Victor Hugo once said, whenthe nettle is young, the leaves make
(28:30):
excellent greens.
Growing old, it has filamentsand fibres like hemp and flax.
So have you been searching fora way to take your diet to the next
level?
Well, look no further than thehumble stinging nettle.
Not only are they super easyto identify, but they're also an
(28:52):
absolute powerhouse in the kitchen.
Did you know that the youngleaves contain vitamins A, C and
some of the B vitamins?
And that's not all.
Fresh nettles also contain 670milligrams of potassium, 590 milligrams
of calcium, 18 micrograms ofchromium, 270 micrograms of copper,
(29:19):
86 micrograms of magnesium and4.4 micrograms of iron in every hundred
grams of leaves.
But a nettle's value goes waybeyond just cooking.
This versatile plant has afascinating history, steeped in nature
(29:40):
folklore.
According to legend, nettlescould cure toothache, break spells
and curses, and even promotegood health in livestock.
Plus, they were believed tohave aphrodisiac properties and were
used in love potions and spells.
Let's remember their role intraditional British cuisine.
(30:04):
Nettles have been a staple inBritish cooking for centuries, from
soup to tea to nettle beer.
So if you're feeling a littleadventurous, why not try brewing
some nettle beer or makingsome nettle tea?
For sweetness, you only needfresh nettle leaves, water and agave
(30:25):
or maple syrup.
Give nettles a try and see howthey can smell, spice up your culinary
adventures and help boost yourhealth simultaneously.
Another symbol of spring isone of my favorite wild animals,
the beautiful, majestic hare.
(30:46):
Now, the mountain hare isfound only in Scotland, whilst the
Irish hare is also a nativeIrish species.
Brown hares were brought toEngland by the Romans.
Hair fossils dating back to28,000 BC have been found in Ireland.
Druids would catch hares andrelease them to interpret their escape
(31:11):
path for prophecy and harmingA hare was once believed to bring
terrible consequences.
The hare is deeply connectedwith the moon and fairies.
Those magical worlds can beaccessed by traveling underground.
And in folklore, hares areoften associated with shape shifting
(31:33):
and sometimes as tricksters.
Depending on where you were,seeing a hare was either a bad omen,
as a messenger from the otherworld, or the old lady next door
who you thought might havebeen a witch.
And in Ireland, the hare waseven considered a witch in disguise
as it was mythicallyassociated with the cailliac, a witch
(31:57):
like being.
Today we discuss the mad Marchhares, a saying based on the hares
behaviour during the month of March.
Although it can be as early asDecember, hares chase each other
in the fields before standingon their rear legs and boxing with
their front legs.
(32:18):
But this behaviour isn't madness.
Although this boxing is oftenbelieved to involve two males battling
over a female, it is in factan unresponsive female fighting off
a male's advances.
Two of the UK's most importantnative trees are the oak and the
(32:40):
ash.
And there's an old saying thatI'd like to share.
Oak before ash and we're infor a splash.
But ash before oak and we'rein for a soak.
Good old country saying thatindicated what kind of weather we
might expect in springtime.
(33:00):
When you wander through thewoodlands, do take a moment to observe
the buds and the leaves on the trees.
The timing of the treesleafing can provide valuable information
about the weather in the woodland.
Although weather predictionsbased on old folk sayings may only
be semi reliable, the behaviorof the oak and ash trees can give
(33:23):
us some clues.
Typically, oak and ash treesstart to leaf around the same time.
However, the timing of the oaktrees leafing is more influenced
by temperature, whereas theduration of daylight affects ash
trees more.
If the temperatures are highduring February and March, oak trees
(33:46):
will likely start leafing earlier.
But if it remains cold untilApril, ash trees will likely leaf
first.
This provides an excitinginsight into the impact of climate
change on trees and woodlands.
Due to the warmer springs, oaktrees are beginning to gain an advantage
(34:09):
in the competition for canopy space.
And unfortunately that meansthat the ash trees suffer even worse.
The ash trees are alreadystruggling against the fungal ash
dieback disease.
The next sign of spring we'regoing to look at is the lesser celandine.
(34:32):
And as Wordsworth said,there's a flower that shall be mine.
Tis the little celandine.
And for centuries, swallowsand celandines have been revered
in Britain as being the firstharbingers of spring.
Even today, these tiny plantshold a special place in our hearts
(34:54):
as they signal the arrival ofthe new light.
Sensitive to sunlight, theseplants have a unique characteristic
of opening at dawn and thenclosing at dusk.
They appear to have an uncannyability to predict the weather and
will hide away before a rain shower.
(35:16):
Interestingly, the old Celticname for the celandine, grian, means
sun, reflecting its dependenceon sunlight for both growth and vitality.
Traditionally, lessercelandine has been associated with
happiness and the promise ofbetter weather.
It is also known by variouscolorful folk names, such as yellow
(35:41):
spit, nipple.
Wart, and wartwort, and thatwas easy.
For me to say.
The juice from the plant isalso corrosive.
Another favorite is pilewort,most likely named because of the
plant's root resembling abundle of grapes or hemorrhoids.
Lesser celandine was once usedto forecast the weather, as it can
(36:05):
shut its petals before thearrival of rain.
The plant's leaves are alsohigh in vitamin C, making it a valuable
remedy for scurvy.
One of the woodland birds thatwill become more prominent now is
the woodpecker family.
If only, if only, thewoodpecker size.
(36:26):
The tree bark was as soft asthe skies.
By Louis Sechard Hearing thesound of a drumming woodpecker in
your local woodland is usuallyone of the first signs that spring
is approaching.
Great and lesser spottedwoodpeckers start drumming to establish
(36:47):
their territories in February,and I've heard them in my local patch
just recently.
The hammering activity is todevelop nesting holes.
While mainly male woodpeckersdrum, the females also assist with
the nest building, whichreaches its crescendo in March and
sometimes early April.
(37:08):
The great spotted woodpeckeris widespread now in Britain and
has recently colonized Ireland.
Compared to the lesser spottedwoodpecker, it has a louder drum
that fades at the end.
The drumming of the scarce anddeclining lesser spotted spotted
woodpecker is much quieter,and this species frequently advertises
(37:31):
for a mate by using itsdistinctive call.
The green woodpecker is absentfrom Ireland, and it rarely drums,
and it is most oftenidentified by its familiar yaffle
call.
Woodpeckers are fascinating,especially when it comes to folklore.
In Norse mythology, they arelinked with with Thor, possibly because
(37:56):
their hammering can beassociated with his hammer, Molynel.
According to legend, theredheaded Thor got his hair color
from the male woodpecker.
The Celts believe that when awoodpecker screeched, it was the
sign of imminent rain, and inthe Native American zodiac, if you
(38:17):
were born between June 21 andJuly 21.
Your birth totem is the thewoodpecker and you are known to be
kind hearted and good atlooking after your family and loved
ones.
Now we're going to look atanother tree that is resplendent
in springtime.
(38:37):
The cherry blossoms bloom andtheir beauty reminds us to find strength
in the fleeting moments of life.
An unknown quote, but very true.
Cherry trees represent thefreshness and exhilaration of spring
and are one of the earliesttrees to blossom in the uk.
(38:58):
Two main types of cherriesthey are wild or sour cherries and
bird cherries.
Cherry trees arehermaphrodites, meaning the male
and female reproductive partsare in the same flower.
Their flowers, which arewhite, cup shaped and have five petals,
appear in April and hang inclusters of two to six in spring.
(39:24):
The flowers provide bees withan early source of nectar and pollen.
Birds, including the blackbirdand the song thrush, eat cherries,
as do mammals such as badgers,wood mouse, yellow necked mouse and
of course, dormouse.
The foliage of the cherry treeis the main food plant for caterpillars
(39:46):
of many moth species such asthe cherry fruit and cherry bark
moths, the orchard, ermine,brimstone and short cloaked moths.
In Scotland, the wild cherryis referred to as the hagberry due
to a superstitious belief thatit was the witch's tree.
(40:07):
However, pieces of the barkfrom the tree were placed at the
entrance to the home to wardoff the plague egg.
The bird cherry is a stunningand fragrant tree that serves as
a showstopper.
During spring, animals thatlove nectar gather around the tree
for its almond scented blossomand the flowers of the bird cherry
(40:30):
tree are clustered along shortstalks and are also hermaphrodites,
meaning that each flower hasboth male and female female parts.
They are heavily scented,white in color with five petals,
and they will bloom in April.
After being pollinated byinsects, the flowers develop into
(40:52):
reddish black bitter cherrieseaten by birds and mammals alike.
Unlike the wild cherry, thebird cherry does not produce root
suckers, but like the wildcherry, the spirit spring flowers
do provide bees with an earlysource of both nectar and pollen.
The tree's foliage is eaten bycaterpillars of many moths.
(41:15):
Like the wild cherry, thespring flowers do provide bees with
an early source of nectar and pollen.
However, the tree is toxic tolivestock and particularly goats.
Many other plants you will seenow have links to spring equinox,
which are beneficial forwildlife and rich in folklore.
(41:36):
Traditionally, some commonflowers, herbs and plants associated
with spring are daffodils and tulips.
Wild crocuses representrebirth and renewal.
And my favorite spring plant,the primrose, is associated with
youth and new beginnings.
Pussy willows symbolizefertility and growth, whilst forsythia
(42:00):
represents transformation andand change.
Shamrocks are associated withluck and good fortune.
Lilacs represent rebirth andnew beginnings.
And peonies symbolizeprosperity and good luck.
Mint is associated withabundance and prosperity, whilst
(42:21):
rosemary represents aremembrance and fidelity.
Time is associated withcourage and strength.
And lastly but not least, thehumble but remarkable dandelions
symbolize wishes and dreamscoming true.
Now that you've been out anddiscovered some of nature's early
(42:42):
spring gifts, don't just comehome and stay in.
Spending time in nature,taking walks and observing seasonal
changes are all great for well being.
Our ancestors recognized thisa long time ago.
The pagans celebrated thespring equinox as Ostara.
(43:04):
Now is the time to acknowledgeand appreciate nature's beauty and
power in its spring form byparticipating in rituals and ceremonies
that connect one with nature'senergy and life force.
So try sewing seeds ofvegetables and flowers, planting
(43:24):
and tending to your gardens bypruning bushes and climbing roses
and planting your garlic,onions and shallots.
Don't forget to plant thesummer flowering bulbs and prune
your apple trees.
Being out in nature or working in.
The garden is the best way to.
Practice mindfulness andgratitude towards the Earth and Mother
(43:48):
Nature.
Whatever you choose to do thisOstara, I hope you enjoy your newfound
energy and use it to benefityour mental, emotional and physical
health and well being andenjoy being out in wildlife and nature.
And that has been this week'sWildlife Matters main feature.
(44:26):
Well, I hope you enjoyed ourwalk and talk discovering some signs
of spring as we celebratedOstara, the pagan celebration of
spring and for me thebeginning of the new year.
Now is the time the light and.
Energy returns and wildlifenature are busy finding mates, building
(44:47):
dens and nests and havingtheir chicks and cubs.
The energy is all around us aswe leave the darkness of winter and
step into the spring light.
The spring light can bring asense of clarity and vibrancy to
the world, with the colors ofnature more vivid and the air feeling
(45:11):
fresher and cleaner.
Getting out into nature isexcellent for your mental, emotional
and physical health all yearround, but the spring season is the
most powerful and vibrant for me.
We want to say a huge thankyou to our new listeners and many
(45:35):
of you have joined us in thelast few weeks and as always, a huge
thank you to those who havebeen with us and supported us longer.
Please do tell your friends,colleagues and family about the podcast
and share on your social mediaor in the groups you support.
Does help Wildlife Matters tobe discovered by more wildlife and
(45:59):
nature lovers in the algorithmdriven world that we live in today?
Wildlife Masses will return intwo weeks where we will look at the
beautiful badger in springtimeand share some audio recorded at
our local set.
Now that's one you don't wantto miss.
(46:19):
We will also have the latestnews stories that impact wildlife
and nature.
And we will be spending timein nature with our mindfulness moments.
Audio stress relief forwildlife lovers.
We appreciate you, yes, I meanyou taking the time to listen to
us today.
So until next time, keep safewild ones.
(46:41):
This is Wildlife Matterssigning off.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters podcast.
And you find us in optimisticmood today, as the long, dark days
of winter are mostly behind usnow and spring is just around the
corner.
So we are taking the time toexamine some signs of spring that
you can find in nature right now.
(00:50):
This week, the equinox heraldsthe beginning of spring.
Spring.
We want to motivate you toleave your warm homes and enter the
bright yet chilly natural world.
One thing that is hard to missis the spring chorus, which is growing
louder and longer every dayand should continue all the way through
(01:13):
to early May.
We will share our local springchorus, which was recorded just a
few days ago on this week'sWildlife Matters.
Mindful moments.
But before that, with so much happening.
In the world and many people feeling.
Anxious about the future, atWildlife Matters we focus firmly
(01:36):
on wildlife and nature bysharing stories about some of the
incredible ocean mammals thathave been sighted in the English
Channel this year.
We're also sharing theexciting news that.
Natural England has confirmedthe beavers are.
Back in the wild in Britain,with the first releases meant to
(02:00):
be happening this week.
And our final story asks thequestion, why are birds nesting earlier
in Britain?
To answer it, we have anarticle written by Wildlife Matters.
So join me at the WildlifeMatters and news desk for this week's
biggest wildlife and naturestory on Wildlife Matters Nature
(02:26):
News.
Hello.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Nature News,
(02:49):
where we're reporting andreview some of the stories that are
impacting on wildlife andnature this week.
Our first story is about somemarine life spotted off the south
coast this year.
And whilst Brighton becomes ahot spot for sun and fun seekers
from all over England in thesummer months, the beloved seaside
(03:13):
resort is not really known asbeing a haven for marine wildlife.
But according to the localSussex Dolphin Project, the area
is teeming with life, fromseals and cat sharks to dolphins
and whales.
To challenge the view that thewaters off Brighton are lifeless,
(03:36):
the Not For Profit iscurrently educating and inspiring
locals and visitors alikeabout the many species, including
cetaceans, that call theEnglish Channel and more particularly
the Sussex coastline home.
Thea Taylor, the director ofthe Sussex Dolphin Project, told
(03:56):
us.
While we don't have a residentpopulation within Sussex, dolphins
and porpoises are recorded offthe coast all year round.
Over the winter period,sightings tend to be further offshore,
as cetaceans head out to morestable conditions in deeper water
and only head inshore over thesummer, sometimes as little as 20
(04:20):
meters from the beach, whilebottlenose dolphins make up the biggest
proportion of the cetaceansseen off Brighton.
Common white beaked sightingsand the elusive harbour porpoise
have also been recorded.
Additionally, in the past fewmonths, visitors to the East Sussex
(04:40):
area have been surprised bythe increasing number of humpback
whale sightings off the coast.
According to the SussexDolphin Project, there have been
56 sightings made between 2024and the 2025 winter season.
@ the time of recording, theSussex Dolphin Project seeks to collect
(05:03):
as much data as possible onwhale and dolphin sightings to help
educate the public andgenerate widespread interest in the
topic.
Our data drives everythingelse that happens in our organization,
said Taylor.
We currently relypredominantly on opportunistic sightings
from members of the public andthe local fishing and leisure boat
(05:26):
community who are our eyes and ears.
On the Water Projectestablished a land watch volunteer
service scheme to harness thepower of citizen science and gather
more data on the species.
The scheme trains members ofthe public to spot dolphins from
land and collect data on theindividuals that they see.
(05:48):
The sightings to date,combined with efforts from other
regional organizations tocreate a sightings network have allowed
the project to understand keyareas for cetaceans.
In addition to their datagathering efforts, the Sussex Dolphin
Project tries to inspire thelocal community about conservation
(06:11):
issues along the Sussex coastline.
It encourages change in humanbehavior that will lead to increasingly
sustainable practices andinspire future generations of ocean
conservationists.
Like others in the regions,the cetaceans of Sussex are impacted
(06:31):
by various threats.
The eastern English Channelexperiences many industrial large
scale fishing activities,severely impacting local biodiversity
and small scale fishingcommunities that rely on local fish
stocks for their income.
Sussex dolphin populationsface major habitat degradation, noise
(06:56):
pollution within the EnglishChannel and pfas or per ant polyfluorinated
akyl substances, also known asforever chemicals, which impact cetaceans
globally.
The Sussex Dolphin Project haslaunched a crowdfunding campaign
to help them fund a research vessel.
(07:18):
The goal is to collect moredolphin sighting data, learn more
about the threats of dolphinspecies faced within the region and
to better protect the dolphins.
A key priority must be getting out.
On the water more frequentlyto allow.
Us to research cetaceans onthe water, said Taylor.
Right now, whenever we need tohead out to sea to monitor dolphins,
(07:41):
we must charter a boat by the hour.
This limits how often, howlong we can be on the water for and
how far we can go out.
We are seeing more dolphins,porpoises and whales than ever before
and that means we need to bethere to monitor and protect them
reducing the risk of boatstrikes, disturbance and displacement
(08:05):
whilst researching the impactsof other human threats.
Above all, the growing climateand nature emergency make us all
aware that we must step up andand protect our local species.
We could do so much more withour own boat.
So if you are able to help theSussex Dolphin Project with their
(08:27):
crowdfunder, do visit theirwebsite where you will find all the
information.
Our second story is a win forwildlife and nature and that is the
exciting news that beavers are back.
Yes, the rodent everybodyloves helps to combat drought and
(08:49):
boosts biodiversity.
Its reintroduction is welcomeand long overdue.
The first time I laid eyes ona beaver was a few years ago on a
Devon farm of Derek Gow.
The farmer turnd rewilder whobrought the furry rodents back to
the UK over 30 years ago.
(09:12):
It was magical.
Sitting in the June dusk andthe pink and purple sky was reflected
in the still ponds of thebeaver area.
Suddenly, ripples emerged fromthe lodge and the head of a kit,
a baby beaver, popped up from underwater.
Watching this fascinating,very cute creature collect willow
(09:36):
branches in its mouth was aheart stopping moment.
It felt like peeking into asecret world.
But this scene will becomemore standard across England after
the government announced lastFriday that beavers can be legally
released into the wild for thefirst time.
The rodents were a commonfeature of our rivers until around
(09:59):
400 years ago when they werehunted to to extinction for their
pelts and the oils that they secrete.
So this is the return of acreature that belongs here and that
we cruelly extinguish from our landscape.
But it's a much more criticalmoment than that.
We have screwed up our riversover the centuries, straightening
(10:22):
them, divorcing them fromfloodplains and destroying the surrounding
habitats.
And this causes increasedflooding and makes it more difficult
for nature to thrive.
Beavers can heal this.
They are known as a keystonespecies, meaning their presence creates
habitats for other creatures,including fish, amphibians and insects.
(10:48):
Beavers alleviate flooding.
Their dams are leaky, whichmeans rivers flow more steadily and
rainwater isn't dumped all atonce into our towns and villages.
The beavers on the River Otterin Devon, one of our free living
populations have managed toprevent the village downstream from
flooding.
(11:09):
As climate change bringsheavier rainfall, their flood reduction
services will become more invaluable.
In the Czech Republic, thegovernment planned a flood prevention
scheme involving a dam.
But the beavers arrived first,building their dam in the exact location
planned by officials andsaving Czech taxpayers the equivalent
(11:33):
of over £1 million.
Beavers also help reduce theimpact of drought.
In the dry summer of 2022,when farmers struggle to grow grass
for livestock and plant crops,a lucky few in Devon and Corn Cornwall,
where there are beavers, didnot face the same problems.
(11:53):
Right now, England's beaversare mostly in.
Enclosures, where they havebeen released by conservationists
who have observed their impacton a few constrained acres of land.
In the coming days, theseindustrious rodents will be living
free all over the country,with the first expected to be released
(12:14):
by the National Trust at thePurbeck Heaths in Dorset, and I urge
you to go and visit so you toocan experience the magic of watching
wild beavers.
This week's third story askswhy birds are nesting earlier in
Britain, and this is anarticle written by Wildlife Matters.
(12:40):
The early nesters Spring inthe UK.
Signals the beginning of thenesting period.
For wild birds, a vibrantchapter in the seasonal cycle of
nature.
Interestingly, many speciesembark on their nesting journeys
even before spring officiallyarrives, and some, like the wood
(13:02):
pigeons, choose to nestthroughout the entire year, adapting
remarkably to their environment.
The nesting season lasts fromFebruary through to August, with
peak activity occurringbetween March and July.
However, the narratives ofthese feathered inhabitants vary.
(13:24):
While some birdsenthusiastically start nesting in
February, others forge theirpaths nesting year round, regardless
of the season.
The British Trust forOrnithology has noted a significant
shift in the timing of thenesting season, attributing this
change to climate change.
(13:46):
What was once a relativelystable cycle is now occurring approximately
30 days earlier than it did inthe 1960s.
This early onset could lead tochallenges, particularly if the rest
of the natural world does notadjust accordingly.
Many plants and insects whichform the essential diet for these
(14:08):
birds, have not kept pace andoften emerge later than the birds
start nesting.
Fortunately, in a hopefultwist of fate, climatic conditions
have prompted some plants andinsects to surface a month earlier,
alleviating some potentialmismatches in timing.
(14:29):
When it comes to the earlynesters, the crossbills are the leaders,
but they're predominantlyfound in the rugged landscapes of
Scotland.
These resilient birds canbegin nursing as early as January,
and considering the chillynorthern climate, this choice may
seem unconventional.
(14:50):
But it works to theiradvantage, as their food safety sources
are also plentiful in Scotlandduring this time.
As February arrives, a varietyof other.
Birds join the nestingprocession, including long.
Tailed tits, long eared owls,herons and ravens.
(15:10):
The surge of activitycontinues into March, when popular
garden birds like robins andblackbirds debut in the nesting season
seen making the start of theseason filled with the sounds of
chirping and the sights ofindustrious feathered parents preparing
for their young.
(15:31):
Many birds lives are dictatedmainly by their food sources.
For example, blackbirds mainlyfeed on worms.
Which are much easier to findin softer, damp winter soil than
the hard baked ground ofsummer or spring.
Owls, on the other hand, feedtheir chicks small mammals.
(15:51):
By nesting early in theseason, they can benefit from shorter
grass and fewer plants in theundergrowth, making it easier for
them to find prey.
This allows them to adequatelyfeed themselves and their young without
expanding too much energy.
The long tailed tit constructsan elaborate nest which takes a significant
(16:14):
amount of time to build, andas a result, even though they begin
building during February, theyusually don't lay their first eggs
until April.
Conversely, some birds, likethe grey heron, do not need to make
a new nest each year.
They simply repair last year's nest.
They must start early though,as grey heron chicks take about eight
(16:37):
weeks to fledge.
So if they don't begin early,there might not be enough favorable
weather to.
Help the young learn how andwhere to find their food.
Similar to rooks and otherbirds that.
Mate for life, they do notwaste time finding a partner and
can start nesting as earlieras February each year.
(16:58):
In Britain, the earliestnesters include long tailed tits,
long eared owls, herons,ravens, tawny owls, blackbirds, chiff
chaps, great tits, nuthatches,robins, all the native corvid species,
missile thrushes, wrens, songthrushes, peregrine falcons, buzzards,
(17:21):
and on the water, ducks,coots, kingfishers, crested grebe,
gulls, guillemots and oystercatchers.
In Britain, two groups ofbirds tend to nest later than others.
The first group consists ofthe seed eating birds such as finches,
(17:42):
which delay their nestinguntil they can ensure a reliable
food supply for their young.
And the second group are themigratory birds that arrive in April
and sometimes May and nestalmost every immediately upon arrival.
These would include theswallows, swifts and the martins.
(18:03):
The best way to help nestingbirds is to leave them alone.
In the uk, knowingly damagingor destroying an occupied bird's
nest is a criminal offense.
Occupied doesn't just refer tonests with eggs or chicks.
Even disturbing a nest that'sbeing built counts as occupied.
(18:27):
Most birds in the Britaintypically will finish raising their
brood by the end of August.
However, in mild autumn, somebirds may go on to raise another
brood, which can extend thenesting season until late October.
Unlike most garden birds,pigeons and collared doves do not
(18:49):
require this as they don'tdepend on invertebrates to feed their
young.
And that was this week'sWildlife Matters Nature News.
If you have a story you feelwe should be sharing on Wildlife
Matters Nature News, thenplease do get in touch by dropping
us an email.
Our email address is in theshow Notes it's fantastic news that
(19:30):
beavers are finally back inthe wild in Britain.
Although many have beenthriving in the wild for some time,
it's still good.
News that they will be joinedby many, many more.
We hope you enjoyed ourarticle on why birds are nesting
earlier.
The article neatly leads usinto this week's Wildlife Matters
(19:53):
a mindful moment, which is thebeautiful and melodic dawn chorus
that is getting louder andlonger every day.
So if you can sit back, closeyour eyes and enjoy the melodic dawn.
Chorus on this week's WildlifeMatters Mindful.
(20:16):
Moments, I hope you let thedawn chorus gently move your senses.
(21:47):
The lead bird was the humble blackbird.
The male singing is one of thefirst and most melodic and beautiful
bird songs that we seem tounderappreciate as we see blackbirds
in our gardens every day.
But just take a moment tolisten, especially when he is joined,
(22:07):
which is often the case by hisfellow thrush cousins, the Song and
the missile thrush, making atrio that rivals any combination
in nature for the beauty oftheir bird song.
You may also have recognized awood pigeon, blue tit and robin,
(22:29):
but I wonder how many of youpicked out the nuthatch that was
perched on a hazel tree justto the right of me.
The dawn chorus leads us tothis week's Wildlife a main feature
which features.
Some of the early signs of spring.
That you can find whilst outin nature this week.
(22:52):
So pull on your boots, getyour hat and scarf and join me as
we explore nature to discoversome of the signs of spring in this
week's Wildlife Matters SpringEquinox Special Main Feature.
(23:20):
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Main feature.
And today we're celebratingthe spring equinox.
As William Cowper said, springhangs her infant blossoms on the
trees rot in the cradle of thewestern breeze.
So are you ready to welcomespring with open arms?
(23:44):
Yes.
It's time to put away thosewinter coats and scarves and get
out and enjoy being outdoors.
And what better way to do that.
Than by exploring thewonderful nature in your local area?
But before we start, let'squickly take a look at the origins
(24:06):
of the calendar.
Did you know that the vernalequinox marks the start of spring
for our ancestors and that theword comes from the Latin ver, which
means spring, and nox, whichmeans night.
The vernal equinox occurstwice a year in spring and autumn,
(24:27):
when the sun is exactly abovethe equator and day and night are
equal in length.
And in years like 2024, it wasa leap year, which means that while
some parts of the worldcelebrated the spring equinox on
the 19th of March, here in theUK it would have been 3.06am on the
(24:52):
20th of March due to theearth's tilted access.
The equinoxes vary from March19 to March 21 each year, although,
interestingly, we haven't hadan equinox on the 21st 1st of March
in this century, and actuallywe won't have another one until the
(25:13):
year 2101.
According to medieval birdwatchers, spring begins on February
14th.
It's the day when the birdsstart to mate and the plants begin
to grow.
So we can indeed say thatspring is now here.
(25:33):
It's time to head out to yourlocal wild spaces and feast your
eyes on that good green stuff.
And while you're outside, whynot look for some of the fantastic
wildlife that comes out toplay during the spring season?
There's so much to see andexplore, from the colorful butterflies
(25:57):
to the song of the birds.
So take a deep breath of thatfresh spring air and let's welcome
spring together.
One of the signs of spring isthe green spears.
Amid meditative browns are thewild garlic leaves, the foliage that
loves summer shelter andwinter light.
(26:20):
Have you noticed there's apungent aroma wafting through the
woods lately?
That's the wild garlic poppingup in the woodlands and under the
hedgerows.
You can often smell it beforeyou can see it.
It's that intense with itsbeguiling, heady aroma.
(26:40):
But before you start foragingfor wild garlic, remember some simple
rules.
Firstly, make sure you havecorrectly identified before eating
it.
Secondly, only take what youneed and leave at least 80% of the
plants or mushrooms that youmay find.
(27:03):
And it's important to rememberthat some plants must flower and
produce seeds yearly.
Wildlife also depends on themas a food source.
Did you know that wild garlicis also known as bear garlic in the
US and Canada because it'sbelieved bears have eaten it after
(27:24):
a long winter's sleep to helpthem regain their strength.
And in many parts of Europe,it is known as ransoms or rampion.
Magic and folklore.
Wild garlic is said to keepaway evil creatures such as vampires.
In some cultures, athleteswere told to chew the plant to help
(27:46):
them win their race.
Early Christians also used theflowers to decorate their churches
on the feast day of St Alphege.
And one of my favourite waysto enjoy wild garlic is to make a
nettle pakora, a delicioustreat that is also vegan.
(28:06):
So why not give that a try?
And I'll leave a link in theshow notes to a recipe from Rachel
Lambert of Wild WalksSouthwest on how to make it.
Of course, if you've got wildgarlic and you're going to make that
pakora, you're going to needto find some nettles.
As Victor Hugo once said, whenthe nettle is young, the leaves make
(28:30):
excellent greens.
Growing old, it has filamentsand fibres like hemp and flax.
So have you been searching fora way to take your diet to the next
level?
Well, look no further than thehumble stinging nettle.
Not only are they super easyto identify, but they're also an
(28:52):
absolute powerhouse in the kitchen.
Did you know that the youngleaves contain vitamins A, C and
some of the B vitamins?
And that's not all.
Fresh nettles also contain 670milligrams of potassium, 590 milligrams
of calcium, 18 micrograms ofchromium, 270 micrograms of copper,
(29:19):
86 micrograms of magnesium and4.4 micrograms of iron in every hundred
grams of leaves.
But a nettle's value goes waybeyond just cooking.
This versatile plant has afascinating history, steeped in nature
(29:40):
folklore.
According to legend, nettlescould cure toothache, break spells
and curses, and even promotegood health in livestock.
Plus, they were believed tohave aphrodisiac properties and were
used in love potions and spells.
Let's remember their role intraditional British cuisine.
(30:04):
Nettles have been a staple inBritish cooking for centuries, from
soup to tea to nettle beer.
So if you're feeling a littleadventurous, why not try brewing
some nettle beer or makingsome nettle tea?
For sweetness, you only needfresh nettle leaves, water and agave
(30:25):
or maple syrup.
Give nettles a try and see howthey can smell, spice up your culinary
adventures and help boost yourhealth simultaneously.
Another symbol of spring isone of my favorite wild animals,
the beautiful, majestic hare.
(30:46):
Now, the mountain hare isfound only in Scotland, whilst the
Irish hare is also a nativeIrish species.
Brown hares were brought toEngland by the Romans.
Hair fossils dating back to28,000 BC have been found in Ireland.
Druids would catch hares andrelease them to interpret their escape
(31:11):
path for prophecy and harmingA hare was once believed to bring
terrible consequences.
The hare is deeply connectedwith the moon and fairies.
Those magical worlds can beaccessed by traveling underground.
And in folklore, hares areoften associated with shape shifting
(31:33):
and sometimes as tricksters.
Depending on where you were,seeing a hare was either a bad omen,
as a messenger from the otherworld, or the old lady next door
who you thought might havebeen a witch.
And in Ireland, the hare waseven considered a witch in disguise
as it was mythicallyassociated with the cailliac, a witch
(31:57):
like being.
Today we discuss the mad Marchhares, a saying based on the hares
behaviour during the month of March.
Although it can be as early asDecember, hares chase each other
in the fields before standingon their rear legs and boxing with
their front legs.
(32:18):
But this behaviour isn't madness.
Although this boxing is oftenbelieved to involve two males battling
over a female, it is in factan unresponsive female fighting off
a male's advances.
Two of the UK's most importantnative trees are the oak and the
(32:40):
ash.
And there's an old saying thatI'd like to share.
Oak before ash and we're infor a splash.
But ash before oak and we'rein for a soak.
Good old country saying thatindicated what kind of weather we
might expect in springtime.
(33:00):
When you wander through thewoodlands, do take a moment to observe
the buds and the leaves on the trees.
The timing of the treesleafing can provide valuable information
about the weather in the woodland.
Although weather predictionsbased on old folk sayings may only
be semi reliable, the behaviorof the oak and ash trees can give
(33:23):
us some clues.
Typically, oak and ash treesstart to leaf around the same time.
However, the timing of the oaktrees leafing is more influenced
by temperature, whereas theduration of daylight affects ash
trees more.
If the temperatures are highduring February and March, oak trees
(33:46):
will likely start leafing earlier.
But if it remains cold untilApril, ash trees will likely leaf
first.
This provides an excitinginsight into the impact of climate
change on trees and woodlands.
Due to the warmer springs, oaktrees are beginning to gain an advantage
(34:09):
in the competition for canopy space.
And unfortunately that meansthat the ash trees suffer even worse.
The ash trees are alreadystruggling against the fungal ash
dieback disease.
The next sign of spring we'regoing to look at is the lesser celandine.
(34:32):
And as Wordsworth said,there's a flower that shall be mine.
Tis the little celandine.
And for centuries, swallowsand celandines have been revered
in Britain as being the firstharbingers of spring.
Even today, these tiny plantshold a special place in our hearts
(34:54):
as they signal the arrival ofthe new light.
Sensitive to sunlight, theseplants have a unique characteristic
of opening at dawn and thenclosing at dusk.
They appear to have an uncannyability to predict the weather and
will hide away before a rain shower.
(35:16):
Interestingly, the old Celticname for the celandine, grian, means
sun, reflecting its dependenceon sunlight for both growth and vitality.
Traditionally, lessercelandine has been associated with
happiness and the promise ofbetter weather.
It is also known by variouscolorful folk names, such as yellow
(35:41):
spit, nipple.
Wart, and wartwort, and thatwas easy.
For me to say.
The juice from the plant isalso corrosive.
Another favorite is pilewort,most likely named because of the
plant's root resembling abundle of grapes or hemorrhoids.
Lesser celandine was once usedto forecast the weather, as it can
(36:05):
shut its petals before thearrival of rain.
The plant's leaves are alsohigh in vitamin C, making it a valuable
remedy for scurvy.
One of the woodland birds thatwill become more prominent now is
the woodpecker family.
If only, if only, thewoodpecker size.
(36:26):
The tree bark was as soft asthe skies.
By Louis Sechard Hearing thesound of a drumming woodpecker in
your local woodland is usuallyone of the first signs that spring
is approaching.
Great and lesser spottedwoodpeckers start drumming to establish
(36:47):
their territories in February,and I've heard them in my local patch
just recently.
The hammering activity is todevelop nesting holes.
While mainly male woodpeckersdrum, the females also assist with
the nest building, whichreaches its crescendo in March and
sometimes early April.
(37:08):
The great spotted woodpeckeris widespread now in Britain and
has recently colonized Ireland.
Compared to the lesser spottedwoodpecker, it has a louder drum
that fades at the end.
The drumming of the scarce anddeclining lesser spotted spotted
woodpecker is much quieter,and this species frequently advertises
(37:31):
for a mate by using itsdistinctive call.
The green woodpecker is absentfrom Ireland, and it rarely drums,
and it is most oftenidentified by its familiar yaffle
call.
Woodpeckers are fascinating,especially when it comes to folklore.
In Norse mythology, they arelinked with with Thor, possibly because
(37:56):
their hammering can beassociated with his hammer, Molynel.
According to legend, theredheaded Thor got his hair color
from the male woodpecker.
The Celts believe that when awoodpecker screeched, it was the
sign of imminent rain, and inthe Native American zodiac, if you
(38:17):
were born between June 21 andJuly 21.
Your birth totem is the thewoodpecker and you are known to be
kind hearted and good atlooking after your family and loved
ones.
Now we're going to look atanother tree that is resplendent
in springtime.
(38:37):
The cherry blossoms bloom andtheir beauty reminds us to find strength
in the fleeting moments of life.
An unknown quote, but very true.
Cherry trees represent thefreshness and exhilaration of spring
and are one of the earliesttrees to blossom in the uk.
(38:58):
Two main types of cherriesthey are wild or sour cherries and
bird cherries.
Cherry trees arehermaphrodites, meaning the male
and female reproductive partsare in the same flower.
Their flowers, which arewhite, cup shaped and have five petals,
appear in April and hang inclusters of two to six in spring.
(39:24):
The flowers provide bees withan early source of nectar and pollen.
Birds, including the blackbirdand the song thrush, eat cherries,
as do mammals such as badgers,wood mouse, yellow necked mouse and
of course, dormouse.
The foliage of the cherry treeis the main food plant for caterpillars
(39:46):
of many moth species such asthe cherry fruit and cherry bark
moths, the orchard, ermine,brimstone and short cloaked moths.
In Scotland, the wild cherryis referred to as the hagberry due
to a superstitious belief thatit was the witch's tree.
(40:07):
However, pieces of the barkfrom the tree were placed at the
entrance to the home to wardoff the plague egg.
The bird cherry is a stunningand fragrant tree that serves as
a showstopper.
During spring, animals thatlove nectar gather around the tree
for its almond scented blossomand the flowers of the bird cherry
(40:30):
tree are clustered along shortstalks and are also hermaphrodites,
meaning that each flower hasboth male and female female parts.
They are heavily scented,white in color with five petals,
and they will bloom in April.
After being pollinated byinsects, the flowers develop into
(40:52):
reddish black bitter cherrieseaten by birds and mammals alike.
Unlike the wild cherry, thebird cherry does not produce root
suckers, but like the wildcherry, the spirit spring flowers
do provide bees with an earlysource of both nectar and pollen.
The tree's foliage is eaten bycaterpillars of many moths.
(41:15):
Like the wild cherry, thespring flowers do provide bees with
an early source of nectar and pollen.
However, the tree is toxic tolivestock and particularly goats.
Many other plants you will seenow have links to spring equinox,
which are beneficial forwildlife and rich in folklore.
(41:36):
Traditionally, some commonflowers, herbs and plants associated
with spring are daffodils and tulips.
Wild crocuses representrebirth and renewal.
And my favorite spring plant,the primrose, is associated with
youth and new beginnings.
Pussy willows symbolizefertility and growth, whilst forsythia
(42:00):
represents transformation andand change.
Shamrocks are associated withluck and good fortune.
Lilacs represent rebirth andnew beginnings.
And peonies symbolizeprosperity and good luck.
Mint is associated withabundance and prosperity, whilst
(42:21):
rosemary represents aremembrance and fidelity.
Time is associated withcourage and strength.
And lastly but not least, thehumble but remarkable dandelions
symbolize wishes and dreamscoming true.
Now that you've been out anddiscovered some of nature's early
(42:42):
spring gifts, don't just comehome and stay in.
Spending time in nature,taking walks and observing seasonal
changes are all great for well being.
Our ancestors recognized thisa long time ago.
The pagans celebrated thespring equinox as Ostara.
(43:04):
Now is the time to acknowledgeand appreciate nature's beauty and
power in its spring form byparticipating in rituals and ceremonies
that connect one with nature'senergy and life force.
So try sewing seeds ofvegetables and flowers, planting
(43:24):
and tending to your gardens bypruning bushes and climbing roses
and planting your garlic,onions and shallots.
Don't forget to plant thesummer flowering bulbs and prune
your apple trees.
Being out in nature or working in.
The garden is the best way to.
Practice mindfulness andgratitude towards the Earth and Mother
(43:48):
Nature.
Whatever you choose to do thisOstara, I hope you enjoy your newfound
energy and use it to benefityour mental, emotional and physical
health and well being andenjoy being out in wildlife and nature.
And that has been this week'sWildlife Matters main feature.
(44:26):
Well, I hope you enjoyed ourwalk and talk discovering some signs
of spring as we celebratedOstara, the pagan celebration of
spring and for me thebeginning of the new year.
Now is the time the light and.
Energy returns and wildlifenature are busy finding mates, building
(44:47):
dens and nests and havingtheir chicks and cubs.
The energy is all around us aswe leave the darkness of winter and
step into the spring light.
The spring light can bring asense of clarity and vibrancy to
the world, with the colors ofnature more vivid and the air feeling
(45:11):
fresher and cleaner.
Getting out into nature isexcellent for your mental, emotional
and physical health all yearround, but the spring season is the
most powerful and vibrant for me.
We want to say a huge thankyou to our new listeners and many
(45:35):
of you have joined us in thelast few weeks and as always, a huge
thank you to those who havebeen with us and supported us longer.
Please do tell your friends,colleagues and family about the podcast
and share on your social mediaor in the groups you support.
Does help Wildlife Matters tobe discovered by more wildlife and
(45:59):
nature lovers in the algorithmdriven world that we live in today?
Wildlife Masses will return intwo weeks where we will look at the
beautiful badger in springtimeand share some audio recorded at
our local set.
Now that's one you don't wantto miss.
(46:19):
We will also have the latestnews stories that impact wildlife
and nature.
And we will be spending timein nature with our mindfulness moments.
Audio stress relief forwildlife lovers.
We appreciate you, yes, I meanyou taking the time to listen to
us today.
So until next time, keep safewild ones.
(46:41):
This is Wildlife Matterssigning off.
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