Eakring Bird news

March 5th

Generally very quiet in the area. Two Shelduck were back on Eakring Flash late morning, with five Common Buzzrds over Lound Wood. Five Goldfinch flew north.

March 6th

Four Shelduck and a drake Pochard were the only interesting wildfowl on Eakring Flash this morning, but at least one Little Grebe there was a very welcome year tick. Four more Coot arrived at Eakring Flash overnight (now nine birds present) Other birds noted this morning included 92 Lapwing at Park Farm with 40 Golden Plover over there north, but a count of 62 Common Snipe was probably an area record, with 41 at Penny Pasture Common and a further 21 around Eakring Meadows. Very little evidence of passerine migration at all today.

March 7th

Still quiet around the area. Two Shelduck and the Little Grebe were at Eakring Flash, Eight Common Gull flew west and south-west, with another five Common Gull and the first two Lesser Black-backed Gulls of the Spring in fields at Tug Bridge Farm. A Willow Tit at Tug Bridge Farm was unusual. The only migrants noted were single Greenfinch and three Linnet north.

March 11th

More in the way of visible migration this morning, with 22 Fieldfare north-west, two Pied Wagtail north, single Linnet north, seven Starling east and three Siskin west. 31 Redwing were at Hare Hill Wood. Seven Pochard were on Eakring Flash, with two Teal there. Just six Common Snipe at Penny Pasture Common this morning.

March 13th

Virtually nothing going through this morning, but six Pochard, eight Teal and the Little Grebe were at Eakring Flash. At Tug Bridge Farm, numbers of Starling and Fieldfare are increasing with counts of 355 Fieldfare and 522 Starling there today. On the whole, there seems to be increased numbers of Reed Bunting at both Eakring Meadows (18) and Eakring Flash (13) at the moment.

Other news from the area today, was of a Stonechat north of Eakring Meadows (probably Park Farm) and a minimum of 80 Lapwing in the same area (per Ian Blackmore)

March 14th

Slightly more going through this morning, mostly Linnet (14) and smaller numbers of Goldinch (five). Of note was a Coal Tit which flew north over Eakring Flash and a migrant Sparrowhawk high north-east, but the highlight was a male Merlin which flew low north-west and continuing over Lound Wood. 24 Common Gull north and north-east was a notable count for the date.

A male Stonechat was at Eakring Flash all morning, but later moved along the hedge which runs north from the flash, towards Lound Wood. This was quite a dark and striking bird, showing some white on the rump and was possibly of continental origin. Also at Eakring Flash were the first two Sand Martin of the year, coming in from the west, before continuing north and five Common Buzzard were over Lound Wood. Five Pochard, four Teal and four Shelduck (two only briefly) were also at Eakring Flash.

March 23rd

The first Chiffchaffs arrived at two sites in the area this morning, with males at the eastern end of Eakring Meadows and one in Lound Wood. There was a significant increase in Meadow Pipit numbers, with 25 through north-west being the first count into double figures this Spring.

Other migrants included 22 Starling east, singles of Stock Dove west, Pied Wagtail and Yellowhammer north, with five Linnet north and north-west. A migrant Sparrowhawk (second of the year) flew north, an adult male Peregrine flew south over Eakring Flash and four Curlew flew west at 07:03h. 74 Fieldfare were at Tug Bridge Farm. At least nine Common Buzzards were over the Red Hill area late morning.

March 24th

Surprise of the morning were the two male Mandarin that flew into Eakring Flash from the north-west and promptly disappeared, although one did return north-west a short while later. Mandarin have not been recorded here for many years, so this was a welcome year tick. Despite the overcast and rainy conditions, Meadow Pipits were moving. There did not appear to be any real numbers and many were missed as birds were virtually so high, they were out of sight. Other migrants included a Bullfinch north, 15 Fieldfare north and seven Redwing.

Two Little Grebe remain at Eakring Flash, with three Shelduck and two Pochard there today.

March 27th

An early Swallow through north this morning, equalled the earliest ever date of March 27th 2005. Otherwise, it was a generally disappointing morning, despite conditions seeming perfect for visible migration. All the mornings counts were mediocre in comparison to expectations. An adult male Peregrine was over Church Hill and at least seven Common Buzzards were in the area.

March 28th

An increase in visible migration this morning, although only short-lived as the wind strengthened and movement ceased. Most birds were recorded during the first two hours, including 72 Meadow Pipit and 57 Fieldfare north-west. Small numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls also moving north and west.

Eakring Bird news
March 2010
Featuring news and sightings from Eakring