March 2009 Bird Report

March has been reasonably mild and dry with the odd frosty or wet days.  Many wintering birds have left and some summer birds have arrived, but more to come.

The Grey Herons have returned to last year’s nest site and appear to be incubating. A pair of Egyptian Geese hatched 3 young on Horseshoe Lake by the 21st. Many of the geese are pairing up, including 2 or 3 pairs of Greylags, which have bred in the area but never yet on the Reserve. A female Shelduck has been roosting on Colebrook North for the whole month and probably before; this is the first wintering record for the site. Two additional Shelducks have visited a few times.

All the regular duck species except Goldeneye remained at the month end, but in much reduced numbers. A male Red-crested Pochard was present on Grove Lake for two days from 6th (last recorded in 2006). Up to 120 Wigeon have been feeding on Fleethill Farm. Mandarin Ducks have appeared on the Reserve and had a nest of 2 eggs when the boxes were checked on the 25th.

The resident Sparrowhawks have been seen engaged in display flight and the pair of Kestrels are regularly hanging around the area where they bred last year.  Buzzards are regularly over the area and lately they have been in the trees on the workings, and seen mating. The immature Peregrine passed through regularly, sometimes stopping to rest. A Red Kite was seen perched on the Reserve fence eating a frog on the 16th. The two Barn Owls have been seen regularly and one of the 3 pairs of Little Owls can often be seen enjoying the sunshine.

The first returning Redshank arrived on the 6th with at least 6 by month end and the first of 4 Little Ringed Plover arrived on the 13th. The lone Green Sandpiper was joined by 3 more on the 29th. Two Dunlin appeared on the 31st. Lapwing numbers have diminished and only the breeding birds are around and staking out territories.  Black-headed Gulls continue to gather on Tern Island where they should nest.

A pair of Red-legged Partridges were present on the 13th. A Raven flew over on the 7th. The Skylarks have been singing all month. Reed Buntings seem to be everywhere and a Yellowhammer arrived on the 5th. The numbers of Thrushes, Goldcrests, Siskins and Lesser Redpolls have diminished throughout the month.

The first Sand Martin was seen on the 16th, followed by Swallow and House Martin. Wheatears were recorded on the 31st, Chiffchaffs on the 14th and Blackcaps on 21st.  Bramblings were seen on Fleethill Farm on the 22nd.

As always, please report your own sightings on the record sheets in Colebrook Hide or send them to Ian Brown, the Moor Green Bird Recorder.

Bruce Archer