2009 - March Sightings

NEW OBSERVATORY APPEAL

31^st March: A pretty wet, misty day with highlights of six Whooper Swan, a Greenland Whitefronted Goose and a Black-tailed Godwit. The Common Scoter, Chiffchaff, three Rook and five Chaffinch remain.

30^th March: A blustery westerly wind today but the plane managed to get in with Assistant Warden Simon Davies on board! He went out that afternoon and found three year ticks; a Chiffchaff at Schoolton, a Dunnock at Chalet and a flyover Linnet! Two Bonxies were seen as well as the Short-eared Owl, two Pied Wagtail and three Rook. Munching seed in the Obs garden were five Chaffinch and 18 Twite.

29^th March: Although the wind had switched to a strong SSW’ly, the temperature had not improved. Little of note was seen – Rooks had risen to three!

28^th March: Another raw day with a strong northerly and some wintry showers. It was surprising then to find there had been a few arrivals; a Short-eared Owl was reported near Kenaby whilst a Rook was also a year tick. Two Wood Pigeons are now present plus eight Snow Buntings and three Pied Wagtails.

27^th March: A very strong cold Easterly wind with some heavy showers made census difficult. Little new although Meadow Pipits have reached double figures (18 logged) and Oystercatchers triple figures (136 logged). A female Merlin, male Peregrine and the Wood Pigeon were seen.

26^th March: A cool brisk SW’ly wind but bright and sunny brought the first Wheatear (a male) and encouraged more display from Lapwings and Curlews plus the pair of Peregrines (over Sheep Rock!) and also encouraged Kittiwakes onto ledges. Seven Whooper Swans flew through, a Wood Pigeon was new and an increase in thrushes was noted (27 Blackbird, 23 Fieldfare, 16 Redwing). Oystercatchers are up to 69 and Ringed Plovers to 25. A Common Scoter, three Woodcock and a male Pied Wagtail were also seen.

25^th March: A female Stonechat and a Red-breasted Merganser were logged.

24^th March: The most significant arrival was that of Assistant Warden Jack Ashton-Booth who has travelled up the east coast from Spurn Point! A male Stonechat at Leogh, three Chaffinches and 14 Twite in the Obs Garden were all there was even vaguely of note.

23^rd March: Lesser Black-backed Gull (2) and Reed Bunting (male at Schoolton) were added to the yearlist.

21^st March: A Pied Wagtail has (finally) arrived!

20^th March: Four Chaffinches (one male, three females) and five Robins were counted. Not much change elsewhere!

19^th March: A fine cool day with many auks still ashore into the afternoon for the first time and Lapwings displaying in the Parks. Five Meadow Pipits and seven Golden Plovers were new. Still lots of Skylarks (200+).

17^th March: The first two Bonxies were reported! Three Stonechats in Boini Mire and a single Black-headed Gull were seen.

16^th March: Stonechats back down to a single female but 24 Fieldfare and a Golden Plover were signs of further movement.

15^th March: Stonechats have increased to six (five male, one female) but little else to report.

14^th March: A Goldcrest in Raeva was new as was a Black Redstart at the Cru. Guillemots and Razorbills are more in attendance today. Everything else pretty much the same.

13^th March: The Sparrowhawk was still present and counts of 71 Oystercatcher, 36 Lapwing, 24 Curlew, 200+ Greylag (and one Brent) Geese, 170 Skylark, 15 Blackbird and five Fieldfare.

12^th March: An adult female Sparrowhawk shot out of the Plantation. A Woodcock was trapped and a Grey Heron was on Field Pond.

10^th March: A second Stonechat arrived and a small flock (16) of Snow Buntings.

9^th March: A Mistle Thrush was new and the Wood Pigeon and Stonechat were seen again.

5^th March: Not much new but Skylarks are now at 255 and a Golden Plover appeared. The Stonechat remains but no sign of the Hen Harrier.

The first frogspawn of the year was found in Pund Ditch.

4^th March: The Hen Harrier was seen again and also the first Wood Pigeon and Stonechat of the year. A collection of wildfowl included 13 Wigeon, 4 Teal, Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye and Common Scoter as well as 270 Greylag and single Brent and Barnacle Geese. Waders included 96 Oystercatcher, 35 Ringed Plover, 21 Lapwing, 19 Curlew, 185 Turnstone and 30 Redshank. Skylarks reached 155 and included the first bursts of song and a flock of 14 Snow Buntings arrived whilst three Chaffinches linger.

3^rd March: A nice near adult (third-calendar year) male Hen Harrier was the best bird of the year so far.

2^nd March: A count of 66 Oystercatchers indicated some movement overnight. There were c30 Gannets on Yellow Head and c400 on Kirk Stack.

1^st March: As if the birds knew that it was the month when spring begins, there was an instant increase in passage. Waders were the most significant movers with 47 Lapwing, 50 Ringed Plover, 23 Curlew and 140 Turnstone. Only 15 Oystercatchers were seen though. Thrushes seem to be dropping whilst Skylarks reached 60.