March 2020 Bird News

Great White Egret – one noted around Priory CP / Meadow Lane area from start of the month until 18th

Brent Goose – recorded as noctural migrant over Biggleswade on 23rd

Red-crested Pochard – one at Roxton 8th and 21st, male at Blunham on 12th

Ring-necked Duck – still present at Priory CP throughout the month

Common Scoter – birds sound-recorded on nocturnal migration over Biggleswade on 16th and 25th, Meppershall on 25th/26th and 31st and Eaton Bray on 26th

Goldeneye – reported only from Harrold Odell CP and Brogborough Lake during the month, other than one at Priory CP on 11th

Goosander – reported only from Harrold Odell CP in the month, with one at Broom GP on 3rd

Avocet – two at Broom GP on 26th

Grey Plover – one on flash near Dunstable STW on 22nd

Ringed Plover – first for 2020 at MCP Wetlands NR on 4th

Little Ringed Plover – first for 2020 arrived mid month on typical date of 15th at Black Cat GP wih birds present later in the month at Dunstable STW, Grovebury and Broom GP at least

Curlew- birds at Grovebury and Thurleigh at the start of the month

Black-tailed Godwit – one at Meadow Lane GP on 18th, seven briefly at Houghton Brook Pools on 19th, three at Dunstable STW from 27th to 30th

Mediterranean Gull – one adult regularly to roost at Grovebury SP during the month, one in the roost at Stewartby on 22nd, one at Broom East GP on 26th

Little Gull – two at Grovebury SP on 19th

Short-eared Owl – one near Potton on 23rd

Merlin – one at Henlow on 5th,  near Upper Caldecotte on 9th, possibly same near Biggleswade on 13th and Broom on 20th, another at Brogborough on 18th

Ring-necked Parakeet – pair nesting in Wardown Park, Luton

Sand Martin – First returning bird at Priory CP on 9th, then Grovebury on 14th

Swallow – first reported on 9th over Henlow

Black Redstart – one at Bidwell on 25th to end of month, one at Potton on 27th, another at Blows Down on 31st

Dartford Warbler – one in Houghton Regis CP from 6th to 12th

Willow Warbler – first noted on 31st

Stonechat – strong passage in the first two weeks of the month

Wheatear – arrived in a number of locations on 17th including five at Blows Downs

Black-throated Thrush – reported at Whipsnade Zoo until 14th

Great Grey Shrike – still present by Brogborough Hill until 4th

Waxwing – six reported near Thurleigh on 7th

Hawfinch – one over Eaton Bray on 17th

Crossbill – two at The Lodge on 9th

Tree Sparrow – reported again in the month at two farmland locations, one near Chicksands and one north-east of Bedford