As spring arrives, the movement of wildlife becomes a pivotal event, particularly for bird enthusiasts. This seasonal shift is critical for breeding and feeding patterns of various species, and Sussex serves as a vital corridor for these animals, providing essential habitats during this crucial time of year.

Among the earliest arrivals are the warblers, including the Chiffchaff and Blackcap, each of which follows its own unique route to reach us. The Chiffchaff, often one of the first signs of spring, can be heard with its distinctive two-note song as it flits among the budding branches. These small, agile birds winter in southern Europe and North Africa and return to our woodlands to feast on insects stirred into activity by the warmer weather.

The Blackcap, with its melodious warble, typically arrives shortly after the Chiffchaff. Adaptable and hardy, Blackcaps are now increasingly overwintering in parts of southern Britain, possibly due to climate change. During the spring, however, a larger influx comes from the Mediterranean regions, filling our gardens with their tunes.

Perhaps the most celebrated of the spring arrivals is the Nightingale, physically little more than a ‘scrubby skulker’ but loved for its overpowering and beautiful song. Nightingales spend most of their year in sub-Saharan Africa, making their journey back to Europe a long and perilous one. They prefer thick, scrubby undergrowth where their unassuming brown plumage keeps them hidden from predators.

Many of us will have been looking to the skies for our first Spring glimpse of the Swallows. These agile birds, easily recognised by their long, forked tails and rapid, fluid flight, embark on a long migration from Africa, covering thousands of miles to reach our shores. Their return is often seen as a herald of spring, bringing joy to observers as they swoop through the skies catching insects.

Our Sussex coastline is a critical gateway for our returnee birds, but on occasion, a shift in winds or an offshore weather event will result in a rare migrant arriving on our shores. This month, our Scrubland Officer was surprised to see a Hoopee, a striking sandy-coloured bird with black tail stripes and a long black curved beak, foraging on arable fields at the Climping Gap near Littlehampton. Likely to have overshot its migratory pathway on route to Portugal or elsewhere in southern Europe, it was a draw for many Sussex birders keen to see the glamourous drop-in feeding on our coastal farmland.

The seasonal cycle also reinvigorates many of our native butterfly species, which emerge from a state of dormancy known as diapause. During the colder months, insects like butterflies cannot remain active as they rely on environmental warmth for energy. A process called ‘diapause’ allows them to suspend their development through the harsher conditions, resuming their activities as the climate warms. Among those that overwinter in the UK are the brimstone, red admiral, peacock, comma, and small tortoiseshell, all of which are ready to take advantage of the first warm days of spring.

Notably, most Red Admiral butterflies are actually migrants, escaping the cold by wintering in North Africa or continental Europe, and only returning to the UK with the onset of spring. That is a long journey for such tiny wings.

In the aquatic realm, the end of spring signals the return of many fish species to British waters. Plaice, mackerel, sprats, sand eels, and garfish migrate back to our region for breeding. Another fascinating marine visitor is the Common Cuttlefish. These cephalopods, akin to chameleons of the sea, inhabit waters up to 200 meters deep along the Sussex coast and come to shallower waters to breed in spring. Known for their remarkable ability to change colour and even the texture of their skin, cuttlefish use these skills for camouflage and communication. After their lifecycle culminates in spring, you might find cuttlebones along the beach—chalky remnants that serve as a testament to their presence in our waters. Have you spotted any along the Sussex coast?

As we approach the end of April, the landscape is already teeming with the lively presence of tadpoles and toadlets in ponds and wetlands, signalling the successful culmination of one of nature’s remarkable annual migrations. Earlier in the spring, frogs and toads embarked on their critical journeys to these breeding sites, chancing on the the first hint of warmer nights in March. Emerging from their winter refuges—under logs, within dense leaf litter, or buried deep in the mud—these amphibians navigated through a mosaic of gardens, fields, and woodlands to reach water bodies conducive to laying their eggs. These journeys are fraught with challenges, particularly the perilous crossings over roads that intersect their traditional paths. Community initiatives such as 'toad patrols' have become crucial in many areas, helping to ensure the safe passage of these creatures across such hazards.

Each of these migrations—whether by wing, flutter, or fin—is a testament to the ever-shifting dynamics that weave our ecosystems together. As we observe and enjoy the flood of wildlife into our landscape this spring, we must remain mindful of the impact of our behaviour and actions. Dogs are part of our countryside yet can have a catastrophic effect on low or ground nesting and wading birds. The Adur River Recovery project is launching a new River Recovery Dog scheme this spring, with dog walkers opting to put their dogs on spring-green leads along the river and preparing to share information on how to minimise the impact of dog disruption on nesting birds and the impact of their waste and flea treatment on water quality.

Equally, as we enjoy our gardens more in the warmer spring evenings, light pollution in our outside spaces can disturb the natural rhythms of birds, insects and mammals. Low solar lights, on a timer, are ideal, or even better, enjoy the ever-extending dusk and you may hear the gentle call of a tawny owl pair.

Nightingale photographed by Georgina Louise Tugwell

Barn Swallows photographed by Pippa Reay