Wyver Lane March Bird Notes
March highlights include Barnacle Goose, Pintail, Avocet, Wheatear and the
return of Summer migrants.
A relatively dry month which also had its fair share of misty days with the latter no
doubt contributing to the appearance of the star bird of the month.....The Avocet!
Totals this month include 5 Cormorants on 6th. At the beginning of the month there
was a total of 12 Grey Herons around the Heronry including at least 5 platforms.
As the month went on it was apparent that they had been disturbed and there were
only 1 or 2 birds being seen with no activity around the woods. This is a little
disappointing after the success of last year.
A pair of Mute Swans have been present all month, 97 Greylag Geese on 10th, 62
Canada Geese on 17th, a single Barnacle Goose from 19th. 4 female Mandarin on
2nd and then 2 pairs seen on several dates until the end of the month. Wigeon
peaked at 38 on 6th and just 2 remained on 29th. 2 pair of Gadwall all month, 53
Teal on 29th, female Pintail on 29th, 5 Shoveler on 10th, 3 Pochard on 6th, 10 Tufted
Duck on 17th, 13 Goosander on 6th, 20 Coot on 1st and 7 Moorhen on 1st and 6th.
A site record count of 9 Buzzards were seen on 21st, a pair of Kestrel have been seen
successfully hunting from the mound. Single Sparrowhawk sightings throughout the
month.
The first Oystercatcher of the year returned on 10th with 2 birds on 17th but no sign of
either bird at the end of the month. Around lunchtime on the 15th and in very misty
conditions around 100 Black-headed Gulls flew in. As they approached the main pool
the unmistakable call of an Avocet was heard. Among the Gulls were not 1 but 5 Avocets.
After a minute or two the Avocets and Gulls landed on the pool and almost immediately
started feeding. News was quickly put out and up to 20 birders managed to see them.
They were present until dusk but there was no sign the following morning. This is the
first record of this cracking Wader for Wyver Lane and is also one of the largest flocks ever
recorded in the county. Lapwing numbers peaked at 60 on 1st and by the end of the month
only a few pairs remained with several birds seen displaying. A Dunlin made a brief
appearance on 17th. 4 Snipe on 28th, 3 Curlew over on 15th and a Redshank also on
15th.
c500 Black-headed Gulls on 1st, also 9 Common Gulls on 1st. 14 Stock Doves on 10th,
2 Green Woodpeckers on 17th, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers on 22nd, a Skylark over
on 8th and 17th. The first Sand Martins to arrive were 6 on 15th, also 6 on 29th, the
first Swallows were 4 on 26th. A Meadow Pipit over on 15th and 2 over on 22nd, The
first Grey Wagtail of the year appeared on 1st and a pair seen towards the end of the
month. 2 Pied Wagtails on 28th. A male Wheatear dropped down in front of the mound
on 25th, c75 Fieldfare on 15th, 30 Redwing on 15th, the first Chiff Chaff of the year was
heard on 15th with at least 3 singing by the months end, a Willow Tit has been coming
to the feeding station in the latter part of the month, 5 Jay on 24th and 29th, 18 Magpies
on 6th, c300 Jackdaw on 15th, a Raven on 8th and 24th, c100 Starling on 15th, a
Greenfinch on 29th, a Siskin on 17th and up to 5 Reed Buntings seen almost daily.