As the days begin to get longer and warmer, the heathland transforms into a sea of colour. The flowering gorse turns a bright yellow. As you wander past the Gorse, see if you can smell it’s coconutty scent. Listen out too for the song of a Dartford Warbler from the top of its branches. Green Hairstreak butterflies and Mottled Bee-flies flit above the tops of the heather. In the woodlands, the trees are bursting into leaf creating a canopy of green above your head. furry catkins dangle from the Willow branches.
As you walk along around the heath, keep your eyes peeled for a flash of bright green along the path in front of you. Our rare Sand Lizard males will be showing off their bright green mating colours to attract a female. Reptiles need to bask in the sun to gain energy so look out for snakes and lizards sunning themselves on the paths. If you're really lucky, you may even spot male Adders wrestling as they perform their competitive ‘dance’ to win the females.
Look up and you might see a Red Kite with its forked tail soaring over the heath. The air is alive with the sounds of bird song. Male Woodlark hover above the heather, broadcasting their song out over the heath. In the trees and bushes, look out for:
- Chiffchaff
- Great Tits
- Stonechat
- Goldfinches
- Blue Tits
- Greenfinches
See if you can spot any on our feeders by the Visitor Centre or from the bird hide.
Many birds will be building their nests, ready for the arrival of their spring chicks. In late spring, the rare Nightjar arrives after it’s long journey from Africa. It will nest amongst the heather, hiding its vulnerable young from predators.