Summary : March 2015
Summary : March 2015
New Species added to 2015 Year List in March = 7
Running Total for the 2015 UK So Far = 101
New UK Life List Birds In March = 0
Our Garden
March saw the garden alive with birds. A pair of Dunnocks and at least one pair of Robins are seen frequently. With the foliage in the garden still a bit sparse, a Wren has been showing well. Blackbirds are busy and the Blue, Great and Coal Tits have been plentiful. Well, one Blue Tit was seen by a neighbour in the talons of a Sparrowhawk so we have lost one at least. On the fifth we had two Mistle Thrushes on the bird table and on the lawn. These two birds visited daily for the rest of the month. Another neighbour saw a pair of Bullfinches in the rose bush at the bottom of the garden. On the 22nd we discovered a large number of grey feathers under the Fuscia bush – the Sparrowhawk by the look of it.
Birding Days Out
The first birding group day of the month was to Sandbach Flashes, but we were a somewhat diminished group with just six of us. Be that as it may, we got nice views of Great Spotted Woodpecker and Goldcrest as well as Fieldfare and Redwing so it was a good morning and, although cold, the rain stayed away. We got further great views of Fieldfare the following week at Marbury Park. At Marbury we also had lovely views of Long-tailed Tits too-ing and fro-ing from a nest they had build just off the footpath in a big tumbleweed of bramble. On the 17th March the birding group went to to Burton Mere Wetlands where we got better views of the Long-eared Owl than in February. It had moved roost to another tree and whilst this was a little way off from the footpath it was rather less obscured as it was sitting at the front of the tree. This meant that we got really good views.
On the 22nd March we went to Parkgate for a high tide of 10.2m at 12.20pm and got fantastic views of Short-eared Owls and a flying Water Rail ! It was a beautiful day and although there was no wind and no low pressure the tide came all the way into the RSPB car park wall showing that you never can tell with high tides.
On the 24th of March the Birding Group went to Frodsham Marshes but it was a bit quiet and the tide was confusing as usual. Some nice views of Ravens fighting over dead sheep in the fields but mainly to remembered for a couple of drenchings – just like last time !
On the 26th We drove up to Kendal stopping off at went to RSPB Leighton Moss where we saw a good range of the usual wetland species as well as great views of Marsh Harriers. The reason for going to Kendal was so that we could be near to Sizergh Castle for a successful Hawfinch Watch early the next day. We returned to RSPB Leighton Moss on our way back from Sizergh to Manchester and although we didn’t have a lot of time we did get more great Marsh Harrier views and views of a pair of Otters as well.
The last birding group day of the month – indeed term – was to RSPB Marshside where we had nice views of Avocets and got our first Mediterranean Gulls of the year. It was as windy as ever. Is it never a nice day there ? We also had our planning session for the next term. Dates to be announced.
