March 2011 Bird Report

March was dryer than average with temperatures below freezing on 5 nights. Winter birds were starting to be replaced by early spring arrivals.

Numbers of Great Crested Grebes reduced through the month and a pair of Little Grebes have taken up residence on Manor Lake. Cormorant numbers peaked at 37 on the 9th; the colour-ringed Essex bird (CJX) was seen on the 2nd. A group of 5 Grey Herons on the 9th were notable. I don't have a Goose count for this month, but the big flocks have begun to disperse to breed. Egyptian goslings were seen on Horseshoe Lake at the end of the month.

The Mandarin Ducks have paired up and dispersed to breeding sites. The first eggs were seen in one of the nest boxes on the 25th. Goosander numbers were in excess of 50 at the beginning of the month, the last I saw were 6 on the 21st. Last Goldeneye on the 6th. Wigeon and Pochard have departed and a few Shoveler and Teal remain. The numbers of breeding species have reduced as they disperse to elsewhere.

Snipe present all month, fewer Lapwing with displaying birds indicating nesting is in progress. Two Green Sandpiper remain. First of 6 Redshank arrived on the 12th and up to 6 Little Ringed Plovers from the 19th. 2 Ringed Plovers on the 21st, Dunlin on the 22nd and 27th and an Oystercatcher on the 28th.

Many of the Gulls have now moved off, the remaining Black-headed Gulls gather on Tern Island during the day. 16 Common Gulls on the 11th and a Lesser Black-backed Gull on the 4th that was colour ringed at Gloucestershire on 20/10/07 as a 3year old. Several sightings in Spain, one at Tice's Meadow and in France before arriving at MGL. Red-legged Partridge on the 25th.

A pair of Barn Owls and at lest 2 pairs of Little Owls in residence. Common Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, a pair of Kestrels regularly seen. A Peregrine on the 4th and Red Kites seem to be regular visitors. Osprey passing through on the 26th.

Sand Martins recorded from the 21st and Swallows from the 30th. Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers arrived in this order. A brief visit by a Cetti's Warbler on the 25th was the first for the site.

All five Thrush species seen during the month. Flocks of Siskins and Redpolls still present and Bramblings arrived in the last few days of the month.

My unofficial count of species recorded for 2011 is 107, 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