Out at LFGP this morning around 07:25 and 3 Oystercatcher overhead, was no doubt a pair escorting an odd bird away from their patch. Small groups about 3-9 of LBJ's were steadily going North over the landfill, some may have been Chaffinch, but certainly others were Mipits.
At 07:40 my first 2 Sand Martin of the year went thru over the lake quickly, 08:00 a Swallow, then 2 more Sand Martin and 3 more Swallow.
9 Snipe were along the E lake edge, the pair of Goldenye still present, 12+ Teal, 2 Wigeon and nothing more to speak of.
At Bittern the idiots had been out overnight, smashing one of the fence panels facing the feeding area, the male Brambling was still about, another 2 Swallow over, plus one more over BSL. 2 Cetti's called nearby and Water Rail called next the feeding area.
A quick look at March and year totals by 31st of the month show 2015 was the lowest year total since 2005 and the lowest March total (84) since I began compiling monthly totals in 2003 (85).
We can take heart that come October/November we will all get to add Siskin and Lesser Redpoll then, that has never happened before.
So what are we missing that we might normally have?
Shelduck - There hasn't been a year since 2001 that we had to wait for one, normally they are Feb, or certainly March passage visitors, often lingering.
Pintail - The only year we have missed since 2003, is 2010. A bit random, but many Jan to March records over the last 15 years
Garganey - It's not over yet, often birds occur around April and May, we have had recent March ones and there are multiple birds in Oxon, so we could get one any day.
Red-Crested Pochard - Yes we had stayers last year, but not that frequent a visitor...never say never.
Smew - Very random, although most records are Jan to March.
Little-ringed Plover - Not that unusual we haven't had by now and we will get one any day now, I also feel it is highly likely they go thru very early am, so missed by most of us
Ringed Plover - Mid March birds do occur and like LRP, go thru early am, we may get another stab in late April, early May
Jack Snipe - It is rare for us to have a 2 year gap in records, so we are either due one any day, or November.
Curlew - Jan birds occur in frozen weather, which we haven't had much of, so April offers a good likelihood of getting one over
Med Gull - I expect we have overlooked a bird already, but April has become a good month for them to drop in...or over.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - I fear our recent run of records since 2010 is over, but December's record might mean they are just not on DP for now?
Water & Rock Pipit - I have said before I don't get why we haven't had one on LFGP
Wheatear - March birds are not guaranteed and this year was no exception, in the next 10-12 days if wind direction doesn't ruin it
Ring Ouzel - We had one 2 years running 1st April 1987, 15th April 1988, so surely we are overdue one?
Have fun looking folks, maybe we'll find something other than the above soon, like a Red-rumped Swallow...I'm up for that!
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