Doncaster Naturalist’s Society

March 2020

25th March
I probably had in excess of 100 clumps of frogspawn in my pond at the end of February. Most have now developed into the little black comma- shaped larvae that have broken out of their individual spawn and are massing together to munch through the remnant jelly in the warm shallows around the edge of the pond.

We have had some unwelcome guests on the pond as well. A pair of mallard which specialise in vertical take-off and landing techniques to get into and out of the pond itself. The drake comes down first and then calls down the duck. He then stays on guard while she tries to gobble up the frogspawn. I’m afraid I have had to evict them on several occasions and put wire mesh over the spawn. We have had a pair of Mallard visit every year since 2011 – always at frogspawn time. I wonder if it is the same pair?
Louise

I was very pleased to hear my first local chiffchaff singing in the spring sunshine of Wheatley Hills this morning. Several butterflies were on the wing – including brimstone and peacock.
Louise

22nd March 2020
Lindrick Common
Bee Fly
Les Coe

21st March 2020
Potteric Carr – West Scrape hide
Avocet x8 (later 2 pair moved to Roger Mitchell hide)
Kingfisher on Mother Drain
White Bryony – Bryonia dioica

15th March 2020
Potteric Carr – Hawthorn Bank hide
Chiff Chaff
Les Coe

14th March 2020
Potteric Carr – Willow Pool hide
Muntjac present for 30 minutes
– Dutchess Hide
Chiff Cahff, Little Egret
Les Coe

8th March 2020
Potteric Carr – Piper Marsh hide
Marsh Harrier x2
– Hawthorn Bank hide
Avocet x3, Little Egret x2
Les Coe

1st March 2020
Ivy-leaved Speedwell – Veronica hederifolia
A newly emerged plant in flower found growing at side of Pinfold Lane, Harley leading to Barrow Hills Nature Reserve
Les Coe