A lot of us still see February as the end of Winter, but not me, I like to be an optimist., and it's literally a matter of days before the the earliest Summer migrants start to arrive back. If you look over past records, early summer migrants are quite common. Take for example 2009 when Dorset's first Sand Martin of the summer arrived on the 19th of February, and in the same year Portland's first Wheatear of the spring popped up on March 1st. Dorset even has records of Redstart appearing as early as 23rd of Feb!!!
Lets get a bit of interaction on here and have a bit of a sweepstake as to when the iconic signs of Spring arrive......
For example......
First Chiffchaff singing
First Blackcap singing
First Osprey sighting
First Woodlark calling
First Sand Martin/Wheatear etc....
ROLL ON THE SPRING !!!
The common lizard was found a three weeks ago do that was a really early appearance!
And I am afraid woodlarks are already calling - but good guesses for the rest I reckon!
First woodlark calling at Arne I heard this year was the 8th January during the raptor weekend (mad birds those woodlark)
As Mr Wilson says they are already in full displaying mode all over the reserve.
Other than that I think we'll e seeing some very early birds this year.
Also a surprise entry first FIRECREST singing and displaying in the carpark was on saturday! It would be brilliant if they bred here this year...
Was brilliant watching the Firecrests yesterday but missed the Woodlarks. Seem to remember the Woodlark was the first bird we heard on the Dawn Chorus walk last year and learned they sing through the night.
Question - do any females actually sing?
And it begins.......Sand Martin and Swallow already been reported in the UK the last 2 days. When will they show up at Arne????
20th March..:-)
Capturing the Light with an original perspective displayed in every Photograph..perhaps
5 common lizards spotted near Shipstal hide on the boardwalk yesterday afternoon!
nice..never wandered that way,..:-)
Never been to the double-decker hide Pete?!
yepp Dom," Inever wandered that way Yesterday"..I guess I should have said that..:-)