March

The first natural signs of spring become visible with early flowering plants, new leaves, bird song and longer evenings but, for many birders, the spring begins with the first records of summer visiting species. This will most likely be a singing Chiffchaff, which will have wintered in Europe, or a Sand Martin making the longer journey from Africa. Also likely to be recorded before the end of March will be the first Swallow, Wheatear, Little Ringed Plover and maybe Garganey, Willow Warbler, Yellow Wagtail and Ring Ouzel.

One scarce summer visitor that is regular on passage in late March is the Black Redstart. This species favours rough open areas around industrial complexes and farms. The most regular place in recent years has been the well-watched paddocks at Blows Downs in Dunstable, but birds could appear anywhere in the county and will very occasionally stay to breed, maybe in a town centre or an old farmyard. Dartford Warbler has also been found in March in some recent years and, with a couple of recent mild winters, there must be a chance of more birds, and maybe a breeding attempt. Another heathland species, Woodlark, is as likely to be found in March as any other period should a bird set up a territory; The Lodge being the most favoured site for this species in recent years.

A very similar pair of species that are most frequently found in March is the Water Pipit and Rock Pipit, both favouring the areas around our gravel pits. The journeys of these two species are quite different. The Water Pipit is presumed to be moving south-east to spend the summer in the mountain pastures of central Europe while the Rock Pipits that pass through the county are of the Scandanavian subspecies and moving north-east. These can prove an identification challenge as they are distinctly different from the more familiar Rock Pipits resident on the rocky coasts of the UK, indeed they more closely resemble the Water Pipit in winter plumage.

Favourite places to search for this pair are the complex of pits around Broom and Willington / Meadow Lane east of Bedford.

Displaying raptors may be observed on any fine warm day with developed thermals, and Sparrowhawk and Buzzard numbers are at their highest in living memory. Red Kites are widely recorded as a breeding species and Marsh Harrier sightings in spring and summer continue to increase, with birds now resident in the county in the area of the Marston Vale brick pits, with recent breeding attempts recorded. Some years, Goshawk is reported, but acceptance of any record will be need photo evidence to support it; if there is one around, then March is probably the best time to find it. As with any scarce breeding species, sightings of any any rare raptors should be shared with the county recorder, but publication elsewhere should be restricted.

The first waders are also on the move in March, as they aim to reach their breeding grounds as soon as they become suitable for occupation; many of these may be UK breeders. We are likely to see Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Redshank at potential breeding sites, with passage of these species and Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit (sometimes in large numbers), maybe Ruff and, more unusually, Avocet. Seabirds are also possible moving through larger lakes, with Kittiwake or Sandwich Tern being the most likely.

A recent increase in nocturnal migration studies, with recording equipment left out in gardens overnight, has revealed birds moving over the county in much greater numbers than visual observations would suggest. Most notable in March is Brent Goose, a few flocks of which are picked up each year, presumably moving overnight from the south coast to The Wash. Common Scoter is regularly recorded, as is Stone Curlew, on the move north to Breckland.

Rarer birds found during March in recent years include Green-winged Teal (2012), EIder (2018), Crane (a party of five staying for a few days in 2003 and another in 2010, two in 2021), Red-necked Grebe (2016), Ring-billed Gull (2005), Red-rumped Swallow (2007), Great Grey Shrike (2023) and “Arctic” Redpoll (1991).