nature A Hummingbird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) feeding on nectar from plum-blossom
Nature in March MARCH NEVER SEEMS ABLE TO MAKE UP ITS MIND WHERE IT SITS IN THE PROGRESSION OF THE SEASONS
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t its beginning, the trees are still bare, and frost is still a distinct possibility – we can have a frost even up to mid-April, and then, woe betide the fruit-crops! Occasionally, though, it is quite possible to take a lunchtime drink in a sheltered spot in the garden.
through up to 50 kilograms of it, depending on the size of the colony and the length and severity of the winter. They will soon be getting the nest ready for the new queens, and for the start of the really active season. However, no self-respecting honey bee will fly if the temperature is below 10°C. So don’t expect swarming until towards the end of April.
In a warm year, you may possibly have seen some insect life already. Groups of the dogged little gendarme bugs are often Another thing to watch out for is the bee to be seen basking in a patch of sun (see fly. These tiny creatures, about the size of next page for the full article!). Warm days a pea, furry and light brown in colour, love can bring out hibernating butterflies, such to hover in front of as the red admiral, early flowers and drink peacock, and even small the nectar. They look tortoiseshell. They very like tiny bumble usually manage to reNo self-respecting bees, but close hibernate if the weather inspection will reveal honey bee will fly if the turns cold; switching temperature is below 10°C that they only have one between activity and pair of wings and are hibernation for an insect true flies – all bees is a far less energyhave two pairs of draining process than it is wings. Also they have a for a mammal. Later, the first of the spring long proboscis to push into the flowers, butterflies will start to appear – brimstone unlike the bumble bee with its short butterflies, some large and small whites, mouth-parts. These curious little creatures even orange-tips and large tortoiseshells if actually prey on bumble bee colonies, the warmth is very early, though April is laying their eggs in the nests of the the likelier month for them. hapless bees. If the weather is warm, you may see honey Hummingbird hawk-moths may put in an bees going about their business. Over the appearance on warm days later in the winter the bees have been tightly massed month, flying strongly, often close to the in their nest, busy keeping the walls of your house. Again, they do no temperature up by metabolism and harm to the house – they are just enjoying activity. They gain the energy needed by the warmth radiated from the stonework. consuming stored honey, and can get
By Mik
e Geo r ge
Mike George is our regular contributor on wildlife and the countryside in France. He is a geologist and naturalist, living in the Jurassic area of the Charente
At this point I must repeat my annual warning about the pine processionary moth caterpillars. If you see a line of about 20 to 30 caterpillars walking nose-to-tail in “follow-my-leader” style, DO NOT TOUCH THEM! These caterpillars (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) are covered in irritating hairs, which will cause at best a nettle-rash in humans, at worst a serious allergic reaction in susceptible people. They can even be fatal to cats and dogs if they sniff them or try to eat them. Violets will begin to appear in fields and on road verges. See if you can spot white specimens – they are about. Cowslips also start to carpet the roadsides. They love the limey soil of this region. Towards the end of the month the familiar green haze of spring begins to appear in the trees. Soon the true spring will begin, and nature will re-awaken.
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