March 2010 Bird Report

Despite the weather, spring arrivals and breeding is early this year.

The colour ringed juvenile Cormorant from Essex is still in the area and was recorded on the 8th and 21st on Colebrook Islands. Little Egrets moved on during the month and the local Herons are feeding young; their third year of breeding on the site.

Waterfowl numbers had dropped significantly by the end of the month. Goldeneye have left and just 2 Goosander remain at month end. Geese are pairing up and will be nesting soon. Shelduck have visited several times during the month – let’s hope they use the nestbox! Coot are building nests and Mandarin Ducks are paring up.

Most of the Lapwings have left leaving a few pairs starting to nest. Common Snipe are still present and Water Rails have been seen. Green Sandpiper numbers increased to at least 3 by the end of the month.  A Redshank passed through on the 1st, with 4+ residents from 17th. Up to 3 Little Ringed Plovers present from the 18th. Some exceptionally early passage waders: Dunlin (10th), Greenshank (12th - previous earliest was 10 April 2007), Black-tailed Godwit (20th - previous earliest was 30th March 2002) and Curlew 25th.  Red-legged Partridge recorded this month.

Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite and Buzzard present, plus Peregrine on 21st and an Osprey on the 18th, (the previous earliest was on 31st March 1998). Two Barn Owls present on the workings. Three pairs of Little Owls often seen sunning them selves, particularly in the willow at the bottom of the paddock. Stock Doves have started early with 6 nest boxes in use, containing 6 eggs and 5 recently hatched young on the 31st.

Black-headed Gulls are spending time on Tern Island. Up to 50 Common Gulls and a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls present during the month.

Wheatear on the 19th, the second earliest record. The wintering Skylarks are singing and Meadow Pipits present. Stonechats present all month. Sand Martin recorded from 22nd, Swallow from 26th, and House Martin on 31st.

Chiffchaffs started to sing on the 18th, Willow Warbler on the 25th and Blackcaps on the 26th.

The first Bramblings of the year were seen on the 30th.  Bullfinches seem to have dispersed, as have Siskins and Lesser Redpolls.  The small Linnet flock is still present, as well as the singing male Yellowhammer.

My unofficial count of species recorded for 2010 is about 102, including the escaped Snow and Barnacle Geese.

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