Best of the British countryside in March
From bottlenose dolphins to fighting coots, here is selection of the month's best photos from around the British countryside in March.
By March, evidence of spring can be found in abundance cross the British countryside. Flowers – such as daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops – fill the road verges and woodlands, trees begin to bud, and the dawn chorus fills the morning air.
From scrapping coots and leaping dolphins to magical Scottish rivers, we’ve come across some amazing photography while putting together the March 2020 issue of BBC Countryfile Magazine.
Celebrate the month ahead with our photo gallery of beautiful photographs from around the UK countryside in March.
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York Shambles, North Yorkshire
In March, urban exploration can be more appealing than wild wanders. This winding cobbled street with overhanging wood-beamed buildings dating from the 1300s is York’s Shambles. Now a tourist hotspot, it was once the street of butchers. Shambles is thought to come from the Saxon word ‘shammel’, the shelves of the open shopfronts.
Bottlenose dolphins
These large, powerful dolphins are seen year-round from the west coast and two resident pods inhabit the Inner Hebrides. Muscular and acrobatic and often put on a show for observers.
Read our guide to Britain’s whales and dolphins
Kilt Rock, Isle of Skye
Escape the tourist traps and head to the northern tip of Skye where a thundering waterfall plunges over the vertical cliffs of Kilt Rock into the sea below (pictured). If you can tear your eyes from the views of a seemingly infinite horizon crowded with mountains, find a sheltered spot and scan the vast seascapes for a dark fin, splash or a ‘blow’ out in The Minch.
Fighting coots
It may be the far edge of winter but waterbirds are getting restless. While many ducks and geese depart for northern climes to breed, resident coots are becoming querulous, scrapping noisily among themselves as the urge to breed rises. With wings flapping madly, rival males dash at each other, brandishing their lobed feet as rather clumsy weapons. The stronger and more determined may win himself a mate.
Tobermory, Isle of Mull
The Whale Trail visitor centre is on the promenade in the bustling port of Tobermory (pictured), where visitors can find out about the latest sightings and tap into the expert knowledge of Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust volunteers. Rubha nan Gall Lighthouse is a short walk from the harbour. Look out for dolphins on the crossing from Oban, especially between the tip of Lismore and Duart Castle.
See our guide to Scotland’s islands
Crinan Canal, Argyll and Bute
One of the finest cycles in Britain follows the Crinan Canal, once an important shipping shortcut on the west coast of Scotland.
River Spey, Highland
The River Spey is one of three significant rivers to pass through the Cairngorms National Park; the other two are the Dee and the Don.
Discover Britain’s most beautiful rivers
Hazel catkins
As March, which often ‘enters like a lion but leaves like a lamb’, draws to a close, the display of hazel catkins has reached its peak. Gently tap a branch on a still, warm afternoon to set free a cloud of yellow pollen that hangs in the air for a moment, then vanishes, like will-o’-the-wisp.
How to identify catkins
Rooks and their colonies
Rooks are so sociable that it’s rare to see one on its own; they build their robust nests next to each other in large rookeries, stay with the same mate for years or even life, and sometimes share food, too.
Pied flycatcher on the hunt
In spring, birds such as the pied flycatcher gather insects to feed themselves and their growing broods.
Great crested newt
Male great crested newts have a ‘dragon’ crest along the length of the body that becomes more pronounced in the breeding season. Males have a white flash on the tale; the female’s is yellow. Widespread but declining rapidly due to habitat loss.
Dartmoor Artisan Trail
A 150-year-old Victorian forge can be found in the heart of Dartmoor, where blacksmith Greg Abel continues the tradition of hot forging. After visiting the forge to commission a curtain pole for a renovation project, photographer and Dartmoor Artisan Trail founder Suzy Bennett was inspired to photograph local artisans for an exhibition, which then developed to become the Dartmoor Artisan Trail.
Saddle Tor in Dartmoor
They may not be as colossal as the red rocks of Arizona but Dartmoor’s lonely granite tors have won global fame for their rugged charisma.
Best walks in Dartmoor
Loch Ard Forest in Stirlingshire
The great Loch Ard Forest extends west from the attractive village of Aberfoyle towards the rugged hills beside Loch Lomond. It is something of a hidden treasure, boasting no less than 17 different species of conifer alongside remnants of ancient oaks. Wildlife includes red and roe deer, pine martens, otters, red squirrels and reintroduced water voles.
Walk: Loch Ard Forest, Stirlingshire
Singing Ringing Tree in Lancashire
High above Lancashire’s Calder Valley a curious, eye-catching structure erupts from the derelict fieldscapes at the moorland edge: the remarkable Singing Ringing Tree.
Day out: Singing Ringing Tree, Crown Point, Lancashire
Warwick Castle gardens in Warwickshire
The work of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, Warwick Castle’s 64 acres of stunning landscaped gardens are home to over 20 peacocks and peahens.
Visit a country garden this spring
Common toad reflection
The common toad is warty and rough-skinned compared to the smooth skin of the common frog. Found throughout Britain (absent from Ireland) but prefers deeper water in lakes and ponds, where it lays strings of eggs. The black tadpoles tend to swim in shoals.
Reader photo: barn owls
“Three recently fledged barn owls waiting for a food drop. Moments later, the parent owl glided into the nearby barn with a short-tailed field vole,” said photography Andrew Chapman. “All the fledglings returned to the barn with some screeching, no doubt contesting the food! The family didn’t appear again until darkness fell.”
