Wildlife Highlights: Wildlife in February - Getting ready for Spring
In her second Wildlife Highlight of the year, Lizzie tells us about wildlife in the UK that is beginnining to get ready for spring…
Illustration by Paige Blake.
February is a month for early starters, whether that is defending a territory, finding a mate, building a nest or even giving birth. This month, I have written about some of the species getting ready for Spring.
For many people, the first signs of spring are snowdrops and primroses. These small hardy plants flower in February, though they can be seen as early as December in particularly mild years. Snowdrops are often found in shaded woodland whilst primroses grow in hedgerows and clearings in the woodland so make sure to have a look for these early bloomers on any woodland walks.
Another sign that winter is nearly over is the beautiful singing of the mistle thrush and song thrush. The mistle thrush is the largest of the thrush species in the UK and is comparatively bold, whereas the song thrush is a timid bird. Song thrushes often start singing in late winter and then start breeding in early spring so you are likely to hear their recognisable songs in February. Mistle thrush start breeding even earlier and you might see them starting to build nests in late February.
Mistle Thrush by Phil Mitchell, Pexels License
Song Thrush by Georg Weitschorke, Pixabay License
As well as the singing of thrushes, you should also listen out for the iconic drumming sound made by Great spotted woodpeckers. February is when you are likely to start hearing them and it is commonly the males drumming to announce their presence to females as well as warning other males that this is his territory. Females will begin drumming in reply as we get closer to spring and they become ready to mate.
Great Spotted Woodpecker (adapted) by Erik Karits, Pexels License
Rooks are also very busy in February as they begin preparing their nests or even rebuilding their nests from last year. Unlike many species, rooks form long-term pair bonds and will remain loyal to their mate for life. They are also very sociable with other rooks and even other corvids such as jackdaws. As they are so sociable they display many different forms of communication with one another which may be involved in mating, social status and even resolving conflict. During the breeding season, you may see bowing and tail fanning behaviours along with increased calling.
Whilst you are unlikely to see it, some of Britain’s mammals give birth in February. Badgers often give birth in February with litters of 2-3 cubs. However, as they give birth in underground setts the cubs are unlikely to go above ground for at least 8-10 weeks. In the meantime, they will be exploring their underground setts which can be over 100m long in particularly large setts. Setts as large as this have often been continually extended over many generations and some are over 100 years old.
Fox by Zettlwirtschaft, Pexels License
Red foxes are at the end of their mating season in February and vixens (female foxes) will be looking for a suitable den where they will give birth, sometimes as early as the end of February, reaching a peak in the middle of March. Cubs are very vulnerable when they are born as they are deaf, blind and unable to regulate their own body temperatures, therefore the vixen will stay with them constantly for at least the first two weeks and then the cubs will not leave the den until around April.
Both red squirrels and grey squirrels also often give birth in February, however, as they can give birth twice a year this depends on age and when they last had a litter as well as the weather and food availability. Grey squirrels often have 3-4 young per litter whilst red squirrels normally have 2-3 young per litter. They both give birth in simple nests known as a ‘drey’ which they build high up in trees and are about the size of a football. Dreys are made from twigs, bark and leaves as well as softer material such as moss, grass and feathers.
Grey squirrel (adapted) by Craige McGonigle, Pexels License
Red squirrel by David Selbert, Pexels License
From the end of February onwards, you can witness the incredible mating dance of the great crested grebe. These elegant birds have a long pointy bill and bright orange plumage and black crests on their heads. These crests and throat feathers are key to their mating dance of synchronised bowing and swimming.
The complex ritual involves the birds flaring their crests and orange throat feathers whilst bobbing and shaking their heads at one another. Sometimes one will dart away before quickly returning to their partner, known as the retreat display. The most complex part of the dance is the weed dance, where both birds dive in unison to collect weeds which they then present to each other by raising their bodies out of the water. This display requires incredible stamina and if successful the pair will mate and then build a floating nest together.
Great Crested Grebes by Elsemargriet, Pixabay License
Thank you to Paige Blake for her beautiful illustrations. You can find more of her work on her Instagram @ptb__illustration.
LIZZIE DE LUSIGNAN
Lizzie is an MSci Zoology graduate from the University of Exeter, where she was then employed whilst living in South Devon. She now lives in Sheffield and works for Twinkl, helping those who teach. She has always loved exploring nature and whilst she now misses the coastal walks and chances of spotting a seal, she is making the most of having the Peak District on her doorstep. She became interested in the communication of conservation during her degree and since graduating she has decided to continue her passion for conservation through writing.