Wildlife and You: March 2008

As we enter my favourite month, March, we are starting to see many changes. For starters, migratory birds will be starting to leave on a journey that will take them a couple of months. It will take a couple of months because wherever they are going to is still too cold for them. Whether it's the Bewick's Swans travelling from the U.K. to Russia, or Swallows travelling from South Africa to the U.K., it is still not the right temperature for them. Why, you might ask, are they leaving now? Let me explain.

To start off, let's talk about the Swallows I mentioned. If they stay in South Africa, it will soon become far too cold for them there. Winter is coming to the countries in the Southern Hemisphere that it effects, and they need to leave. In the case of the Bewick's Swans, the longer hours of daylight are making them know instinctively that they should go. Britain is unable for a pair to breed. It doesn't have the right conditions. Siberia, however, does. The swans want to get back soon, so they can have the best breeding grounds.

Off that topic, many animal species are entering their breeding season. Expect excitement.

If you take a photo this month, I'd love to see it. Please send them in to this address. Thanks in advance.

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