Plenty of warm, sunny weather greeted the start of the month, with temperatures peaking in Royston at around 16C. March has, on average, been the driest month of the year over the last 30+ years in Royston, and there was no appreciable rainfall here until well into the second week, when a cool, showery period set in. I saw my first local butterfly of the year (a male Brimstone) on the 9th and a few bumble bees were also recorded, but early March is generally a quiet period for birds, with winter visitors gradually dispersing and summer visitors yet to arrive. The dull, cool months of January and February had left plant development somewhat behind schedule, and there was no sign of Pasque Flowers emerging when I visited Church Hill on the 6th. Birds were still active around the garden feeders, with up to seven Chaffinches seen on some days. The regular Stock Dove was joined by a second bird, making it more difficult for the Woodpigeons to shoo them away, and a colourful variety of Feral Pigeons were also visiting regularly. Blackbirds were very active, with males developing their breeding plumage and starting to sing. A Mistle Thrush was heard singing nearby on a few dates. A Coal Tit was seen on the feeders on one occasion.
Thursday, 13 March 2025
Local Wildlife Sightings March 2025
Monday, 10 March 2025
UK Wildlife Sightings, March 2025
The first ten days of March brought the longest, most settled period of sunny weather for well over a year, and with it the chance to get out and about. With my health restored, I visited WWT Welney, from where Common Cranes had been reported on previous days, on the 4th. I couldn't find the Cranes, with the Lady Fen trail being closed, but did manage to see my first (distant) Spoonbills of the year and, as an added bonus, saw a Cetti's Warbler at the edge of the main car park just before I left. Huge numbers of Whooper Swans could be seen from the visitor centre and seven Bewick's Swans were seen (and heard) in flight over the reserve.
More warm, sunny weather on the 5th encouraged me to visit the Goshawk viewpoint near Cockley Cley (Norfolk). Calm, sunny weather in March is ideal for seeing displaying Goshawks and I wasn't disappointed, seeing at least four birds during a 40 minute stay. I moved on from there to Cley on the North Norfolk coast. I walked right round the reserve, seeing two more Spoonbills (close enough to photograph, unlike the Welney birds) and lots of wader species including Ruff. My target bird, however, was Twite, a flock of which had been reported between Cley and Salthouse. These were duly tracked down with the help of another bird watcher: the photos (against the light, into the wind and with a fairly distant flock of small birds - my excuses) aren't great but I've included one for your interest.