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.
Male Blackbird on the Garden Fence, Royston, 11 March
One of many Feral Pigeons to visit the Garden, Royston, 11 March
Local walks were generally quiet, particularly in the first (sunny) week, when a single Lapwing at Greys Farm on the 3rd and a (the?) Little Owl, seen at dusk on Newsells Stud Farm, were the highlights. On the 11th a Raven was briefly seen displaying over a nearby wood before flying away to the east with another bird (its partner?). A flock of around 250 gulls on the ground at Hatchpen Farm was comprised mainly of Common Gulls (200+). A visit to Phillup's Lake on the same day produced a summer-plumaged Little Grebe and my first local Chiffchaff of the year (heard calling, not singing - could this have been an over-wintering bird?).
Some of the 250+ Gulls (mainly Common Gulls) seen at Hatchpen Farm on 11 March
I made two more visits to Amwell in the first half of the month, looking for the Red-necked Grebe that had taken up residence on a private lake surrounded by trees, which made viewing very difficult. I had no joy on my first attempt (on the 3rd) but did see a Common Snipe on the main lake. My second attempt, on the 12th, was successful although my views were restricted as the bird kept disappearing behind trees. This was my first ever Hertfordshire Red-necked Grebe and the first I have seen anywhere since 2023. Whilst at Amwell I saw the female Smew again and managed a few 'record shot' photos (one below).
Poor 'Record Shot' of the female Smew at Amwell (Great Hardmead Lake), 12 March
I went on from Amwell to Coopers Green gravel pits, near Welwyn Garden City. With extraction finished, the pits are now gradually being returned to farmland, with just a couple of lakes remaining, but there should still be some interesting birds turning up there, particularly on migration. Things were pretty quiet on my visit, although I did count eight Mandarin Ducks on one pit.
Four Mandarin Ducks at Coopers Green Gravel Pits, 12 March
