March

 It's now the end of March, and after a very warm spell we are now getting snow showers and frosty nights again. Hope it doesn't go the same way as last year with a very cold miserable spring.

The month kicked off with a Sunday walk around Fairlands Lakes, being joined by Andy Day. We met up near the old farmhouse where one of the regular photographers had staked out a Long Tailed Tit's nest. It is one of about half a dozen that Andy and Tom Spellar had located so far this year. There were a lot of Robins, Blackbirds, Dunnocks and Song Thrushes singing from their territories, and the early Willow buds were being devoured the parakeets, but otherwise it was still late winter. The Water Rail was still being seen, a very elusive Little Grebe was on the conservation lake, there were still some Siskin around, and decent numbers of gulls and ducks.

Unfortunately, having checked the owl box-now occupied by squirrels the search of the woods on the way home was cut short when I had a bad fall and messed up my left shoulder (the good arm) which is still causing issues nearly a month later. Later paid a visit to A&E and basically I'm just going to have give it plenty of time. Perhaps I should have started on fixing the fence instead, as thats off the cards for the time being.

Not being up for much, the following Sunday I was back at Fairlands. It was starting to feel like spring now, and I heard my first singing Chiffchaffs. The parakeets were still demolishing the willows around the farmhouse. Three Great Crested Grebes were on the main lake, along with a male Tufted Duck, and an unusual sight were the three Mute Swans in addition to the resident pair.

A bit of weekend rescheduling enabled an early Saturday morning walk around Aston End. The Tawny Owl was still being harassed near Redwings Farm. I suspect that the three parakeets that seem to frequent the area have taken an interest in a nest hole. I recorded four Chiffchaffs, several Chaffinch and Greenfinch (seem to be recovering a bit from their decline) territories, and a diversion into High Wood produced a singing male Marsh Tit. There were still a few Fieldfare and Redwing in the sheep fields, and there was clearly a movement of Meadow Pipits as there were 16 with the thrushes. A full list is here https://ebird.org/checklist/S105201315

With the clocks changing on the 27th, I decided to take advantage of the Saturday morning and visit Dyes Lane and Norton. The last try in January was halted when my boot sole came adrift in the mud, but luckily after the recent warm weather the ground was a bit drier this time. Lots of singing Chiffchaffs, but no Blackcaps (I did hear one shopping earlier in the week). I had hoped to get a Wheatear or two but was unsuccessful-with the fencing off of the tip we have lost the traditional spot and can only hope the odd one turns up in nearby fields. I got my first local Grey and Red Legged Partridges as well as several Peacock and Small Tortoiseshells, and also the first bluebells of the year. List here https://ebird.org/checklist/S105591549

Elsewhere it has been interesting. On a few nights I have been woken up by a pair of Tawny Owls in the early hours, and I suspect the oak tree outside the bedroom is being used at times though they have also been a bit distant. It has been a long time since I heard them regularly. There are also a couple of foxes in the area judging by the noise and I have seen one of them recently. Otherwise, there was a fairly early singing Blackcap on the 25th at Poplars, and a flyover Yellow Wagtail at work on the 23rd-again a bit early.