Click on the link to send in your sightings info@foteb.org.uk to help us monitor Emm Brook wildlife.This type of ‘citizen science’ allows us to get a clearer picture of what is happening along the Emm.

For previous months sightings see Archive

The "Area Seen" refers to the 11 sections that the Brook has been split into for monitoring purposes (see Wildlife page under Monitoring ).

For what you can expect to see on the Emm this month, click here March

All sightings unless stated are from personal observations by Eddie Napper.

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March 2026

What is this life if full of care , we have no time to stand and stare.

 Leisure - W. H. Davies.

Birds

07/03/26 Seen and heard in Area's 4 and 5 during the litter pick were a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker a flyover Grey Heron a calling Nuthatch and Song Thrush. In Area 7A at the Skinner Drive balancing pond, Paul O'Neill saw 3 Snipe a male Stonechat , 26 Linnet and a male Reed Bunting .

05/03/26 A spectacular site in Area 10 where a Sparrowhawk was seen chasing a Ring necked Parakeet and allmost catching it. A male Chiffchaff was in full song along with a Song Thrush.

03/03/26 In Area 7A at Skinner Drive balancing pond seen by Paul O'Neill were 5 Reed Bunting , 2 male and 3 female and a male Stonechat. Also seen was a male Chiffchaff Pheasant, 24 Linnet and 4 Snipe .

Insects

08/03/26 Brindled Pug The moth trap was out in my Area 4 garden overnight on 07/03/26 and checked this morning . The catch was 11 moth's of 4 species. Highlight was a Brindled Pug Eupithecia abbreviata . With 1new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is now 23 species. Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

05/03/26 7 Spot Ladybird The sun was shining, so a trip to Area 10 was a must. Seen was a 7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella septempunctata, it hibernates during the winter months, resting in vegetation, hollow plant stems and garden sheds and it emerges in spring, usually from March to April, in search of food. Also seen in the Car Park field was the Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Butterfly. A further 4 were seen flying in the field next to Bittern Hide. One was also seen in Area 5 near Woosehill Roundabout.

02/03/26 Early Grey The moth trap was out in my Area 4 garden overnight on 01/03/26 and checked this morning . The catch was 16 moth's of 5 species. Ypsolopha ustella Highlights were Early Grey Xylocampa areola and the Micro Moth Ypsolopha ustella . With 2 new moth species added ,the total for 2026 is now 22 species. Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

Plants/ Trees

Every year the leaves on the trees and hedgerows change colour from green to a yellow/gold before falling , find out why at Why do leaves change colour .

03/03/26 Common Field Speedwell . Seen in Area 7A near Skinner Drive balancing pond was Common Field Speedwell Veronica persica.

02/03/26 Gorse As the weather warms up, things are coming into bloom . Seen were Common Gorse Ulex europaeus with bright, beaming yellow flowers with the scent of coconut, common gorse is a sight to behold. also seen was Blackthorn Prunus spinosa . Ypsolopha ustella Early to blossom, blackthorn trees have clouds of snow-white flowers in early spring.

Fungi/ Lichen

Do not eat any fungi that have not been properly identified , some are DEADLY when ingested .

Reptiles

Fish

Mammals