Birds to look out for in the next month March/April
Birds to look out for in the next month – March/April
1. Winter Thrushes – should be getting return passage birds
- Redwing, Fieldfare. Record all last sightings.
2. Finches
- Brambling & Siskin – should be coming into gardens now
- Redpoll Record all sightings.
- Linnet – note flock size
3. Warblers
- Chiffchaff – Expect to hear first birds before next indoor meeting
- Blackcap & Sedge Warbler
4. Wagtails
- Yellow Wagtail – mainly from mid / end-April
- Grey Wagtails – now setting up breeding territories. All records please
5. Hirundines
- Sand Martin – first birds are being recorded in UK. Record first sighting.
- Swallow – mainly from mid / end-April. Record first sighting
- House Martin – mainly from mid / end-April Record first sighting
6. Ducks and Geese
- Shelduck – now moving back inland to breed
- Goosander – moving back to breeding areas soon, record last sightings.
- Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck
- Goldeneye – returning to breeding areas soon, record last sightings
- Pintail – returning to breeding areas soon, record last sightings
- Pink-footed Geese – returning to breeding areas, record last sightings
7. Waders
- Oystercatcher – now moving back inland to breed
- Golden Plover- returning to breeding areas, record last sightings
- Lapwing – Note any breeding records
- Green Sandpiper – passage birds should be present from now on
- Common Sandpiper – passage birds should be present from mid-April
- Redshank – Note any breeding records
- Snipe – Note any breeding records
8. Gulls
- Record flock sizes and species
9. Woodpeckers
- Great Spotted and Lesser Spotted Wdpkrs are far easier to find during March before the leaves come on the trees. Record all sightings of Lesser Spotted
10. Raptors
- Sparrowhawk – Display during March
Goshawk – Display during March
Buzzard. Record all sightings
Hen Harrier Record all sightings
Marsh Harrier – returning to breeding sites. Record all sightings.