Local update March

Finch and Bunting numbers at the Cornfield NR started dropping off this month and a single Corn Bunting on the 10^th was the last of this winter period, the Cormorants also took their leave this month with a small flock of Fieldfare moving through on the 13^th pausing briefly before carrying on North.  Spring arrived mid-month with the first Chiffchaffs singing and several Butterflies were about on the nice days, not seen the Kingfishers for quite a while so it was nice to have regular sightings of the pair to the end of the month, often seen fishing in the small ponds in the Rawcliffe Meadows Flood Basin, a nice day on the 23^rd saw the Sparrowhawks displaying over Clifton Park with three Buzzards over very high, two Oystercatchers flew over the Ings on the 25^th piping noisily and it was nice to see the Nuthatch again in Clifton Park on the 29^th, also that day a Siskin was by the Cornfield NR, another scarce visitor to the area, finally six Sand Martins and a Swallow were over Rawcliffe Ings on the 30^th and a Willow Warbler sang from Rawcliffe Meadows on the 31^st.

swollen river early in the month

caused a bit of flooding

avenue of Pines in Clifton Park

Spring flowers, Lesser Celendines and Self Heal

Colts Foot

Cowslip

and Dandelions