Tufted Ducks Andy Hanby
The first day of the month was a good day, with the Bar-tailed Godwit still holding court on the Reserve and the long-staying Great White Egret roving between Flasks and Lingham Lakes. In addition, a massive 73 Pied Wagtails were feeding in a field by Well bend with three Grey Wagtails to brighten up the show and a fly-over Woodcock.
On 3rd a record count of 641 Curlew was made, a sharp uptick in Black-headed Gull numbers to 2,500 was noted, at least 250 Fieldfare were behind Ladybridge Lake and Little Egrets reached 14 in number.
Little Egrets in good numbers and increasing counts of Reed Buntings were noticed during the month Andy Hanby
Spring was heralded on 5th, with the first Lesser Black-backed Gull of the year heading North. Also noted was an impressive 2,574 Lapwings in the recording area.
Both the first Lesser Black-backed and Mediterranean Gulls of the year were seen this month
Tim Jones
Things then bubbled along gently, with good numbers of duck and an increase singing from Chaffinches and Song Thrushes until 10th, when 112 Yellowhammers were counted in a stubble field by Green Lane – possibly our highest count in over a decade and possibly ever.
One of the Green Lane Yellowhammers Matthew Cormack
The first really big ‘vis mig’ day of the year occurred on 11th, with 2,859 birds counted moving north in a light WNW wind. This movement no doubt, included some birds re-locating after a bout of heavy snow two days previously, which had covered much of the Pennines, was followed by a rapid thaw, in temperatures up to 10°C. Species included 951 Golden Plover moving north, 134 Skylark and 30 Meadow Pipits. Two Barnacle Geese also headed north, but may have been those reported recently on the nearby mires.
Two Barnacle Geese heading north with two Pink-footed Geese on 11th Andy Hanby
Another first for the year, a Mediterranean Gull was found on the Reserve on 12th and seen again on 14th. On 15th two Tree Sparrows were at the Well Bend and, encouragingly then seen on and off until the end of the month.
More visible migration, on a modest scale, was noted on 17th, with 1322 Black-headed Gulls moving north. On many days there is a sizable ebb and flow of this species in all directions, but on this occasion a very clear movement occurred, with a single Mediterranean Gull ‘yelping’ amongst them. Eight Great Black-backed Gulls and 283 Pink-footed Geese were also thrown in for good measure. On the same day, our third Woodcock of the year made a lap around the silt lagoons.
Sunday 18th was generally a quiet day, but was perked up by a cream-crown Marsh Harrier heading south-east over Langwith and then Ladybridge Lakes. The following day was also generally quiet, but nine Ringed Plover were counted on the Reserve.
Throughout the month, Dunlin remain high in numbers, reaching a peak of 109 on 24th, the same day that a total of 763 Pink-footed Geese head north and (straying into Fozzy terrritory) a Comma butterfly was spotted.
Pink-footed Geese heading north against a moody sky on 24th Andy Hanby
The build up to spring continued on 26th, with Oystercatchers peaking at a new high of 214 and the first Avocet of the season on Langwith Lake. The next day, 13 Black-tailed Godwits on the Reserve, augmented the vernal feel.
Duck numbers were generally good throughout the month and included 231 Gadwall on 3rd, 1352 Wigeon on 9th and the month ended with 22 Pochard and 83 Shoveler on 28th to cap it all.
Overall, 110 species for a month represented a decent haul for what can be quite a quiet month…. and now to spring!
Great-crested Grebe numbers increasing and displaying, tell of approaching spring
Christine Weaver and Tim Jones