Ornithological Summary March 2015
Spring was somewhat lagging behind in Marsh and although there were warmer interludes it was generally very chilly and windy and as such migrants were a little scarce. The first Little Ringed Plover arrived on the 14th with a pair the next day with a Wheatear on the 19th and the first Sand Martin on the early date of the 8th but these were not the vanguard of an invading force and little else followed on from them. Two Swallows on the 30th snuck into March and a Whimbrel on the 23rd was genuinely early for us. The wintering Bittern remained till at least the 7th and a Great White Egret was seen on the 19th. The sub-adult Norwegian ringed Iceland Gull reappeared on the 6th along with the last Caspian of the winter and a Kittiwake was seen on the 31st in rough conditions. There were a few other waders to see including the Spotted Redshank, six Knot (15th), up to four Ruff and Avocet and a flock of 67 smart Golden Plover on the 19th.Marsh Harriers and Buzzards were very active and Red Kites were seen on the 17th and 27th with a single Merlin on the 19th. The male Bullfinch was last seen on the 12th and a Coal Tit was very rare visitor on the 15th while the Corn Buntings and 50 late Fieldfares were seen on the 11th. Five Scoter on the Thames on the 24th were almost expected given the weather but a Red-legged Partridge on the 3rd certainly was not and bizarrely was the rarest bird seen in March...
Wren (Lawrence Rogers)
8-4-15