15th-17th March

The Stock Dove was still present on 15th when 2 Hen Harriers were seen from the Observatory windows. On 16th (just as the Rugby was about to start!) spring suddenly sprang into life mid afternoon when more than usual Blackbirds seemed to be in the Observatory car-park. A quick scramble around the traps and a check of Holland House gardens revealed 32 to have arrived, with virtually all of them appearing to be adult males. With the easterlies and regular rain we shouldn't have been that surprised and a proper look around the western coasts and crofts took place on 17th. A few other thrush species were also involved in this, the first 'fall' of the year and totals for the day were of 84 Blackbirds, 4 Fieldfares, 5 Song Thrushes, 14 Redwings and a new Mistle Thrush. There were also 10 Woodcocks and with ornithological backup due to arrive tomorrow in the form of Simon, our new Assistant Warden we'll hopefully have even more to report from now on.