2008 - MARCH SIGHTINGS

2006 Report now out
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March 24^th-31^st: The final week commenced with two days of heavy snow and appropriate sightings of parties of Whooper Swan (5 & 13) and Iceland Gulls (1^st winter & 2^nd winter). After the snow cleared and the wind veered round to the south, a Brambling on 27^th was followed with Black Redstart, Greenfinch and two Stonechat the following day. The most significant arrival of 29^th were the two seasonal AWs, just in time to greet the first Bonxies (2) of the year – spring must be here!!! A small fall was evident with counts of 100 Oystercatcher, 17 Golden Plover, 120 Skylarks, 6 Meadow Pipit, 7 Robin, 50 Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Chiffcahff and a few finches (Greenfinch, 2 Chaffinch and 4 Siskin) whilst Common Scoter and Grey Wagtail were also new for the year.

The 30^th witnessed the arrival of our first Puffins, in Furse plus the first Yellowhammer and an influx of Jackdaws (21) along with a couple of Meadow Pipits, two Stonechat, 17 Snow Bunting and a Reed Bunting.

The last day of the month saw Bonxies increase to four and an influx of crows (11 Hooded, 3 Carrion) but the best was a Common Crane which circled around the isle for hours before settling first at Setter, then Vatnagard.

March 14^th – 23^rd: A fairly quiet period with a Meadow Pipit on 16^th, the only new species for the year. The Chiffchaff (from 12^th) remained throughout with single Pied Wagtail and Goldcrest also noted and counts made of 90 Oystercatcher, 6 Wigeon, 65 Common Snipe and 65 Skylark.

March 13^th: Another nice day started with a Dunnock at the Obs, where the Goldcrest and at least four Siskin linger. Highlights elsewhere were first-winter Iceland Gull, the re-appearance of the Black-bellied Dipper and three Stonechat.

Snow Bunting - Photograph by Deryk Shaw

Iceland Gull - Photograph by Deryk Shaw

March 12^th: The nicest day weatherwise for a long time! A good thrash around the south indicated there had been some movement. New for the year were a Dunnock at Shirva, Chiffchaff at Stackhoull, Pied Wagtail at the airstrip and later on a Reed Bunting in the Obs garden. The nice weather encouraged a bit of courtship display from Lapwings and several territorial Curlews and Oystercatchers were noted. Thrush numbers were up with 45 Blackbird, 38 Redwing, five Fieldfare and a couple of Song Thrush noted. Other counts and sightings included 60 Oystercatcher, 14 Ringed Plover, 135 Turnstone, 70 Skylark, three Robin, five Jackdaw, six Siskin and 92 Snow Bunting plus a couple of Wood Pigeon and singles of Long-tailed Duck and Jack Snipe.

March 11^th: There are now four Siskins at the Obs plus a Goldcrest.

March 1^st – 10^th: Little to report in the early part of the month apart from a spell of poor weather!!! Peak counts so far have been 58 Oystercatcher, 17 Ringed Plover and 60 Skylark with a Wood Pigeon, a couple of Siskin and 15 Snow Bunting the only other things of note.

The first frogspawn of the year was found in Pund Ditch on 6^th.