Swanscombe Part 4 - March

March has been a slower month, managing 61 species, with a lot of the winter birds leaving in droves to be slowly replaced by the summer migrants. I've barely managed any photos that are vaguely shareable (let alone half decent) so this one may be a bit text heavy, but i'll try to keep it brief, and hope that April brings a bit more drama

Despite a sorry, gloomy start to March, spring was definitely in full swing by the end. Chiffchaffs were calling from every tree, seemingly in constant battle to drown out the Cettis, and the butterflies were emerging in force. Over the coming weeks the rest of the Warblers etc will be turning up and the breeding season will get underway in earnest, and some of the Birds of Prey are beginning to be more obvious as they begin to ramp up their hunting in preparation for chick's.

Birding highlight was my first ever Wheatear on site (luckily pointed out by another group or I would have easily missed it). These striking birds tend to stop off in the area during migration to feed up, and it makes a change to see such a smart male in summer plumage rather than the somewhat tired looking birds we get in the Autumn! Also of note, a lone Grey Wagtail bobbing around the central reservoir, again not a bird I'd ever found here before.

The Grass Snakes and Marsh Frogs are finally back, but have been far too quick for the camera just yet, I'm sure some nice moments with the local herps are yet to come over the Spring and Summer. I also had a quick encounter with a Water Vole, enough to spot his fuzzy brown bum and hear the giveaway plop as it took to the water. Don't judge the laughable Snake photo as he disappeared into the undergrowth 😂😂

I also got another opportunity to help out with the ringing. A slower day this time out, but plenty of Chiffs, Cettis and Finches, a Mipit and a pretty female Reed Bunting gave a nice bit of variety and another chance to familiarise myself with the techniques used to gather data on these birds.

March Full List

Woodpigeon 

Collared Dove

Feral Dove

Carrion Crow

Jackdaw

Magpie

Blue Tit

Long Tailed Tit 

Great Tit

Bearded Tit (only on Black Duck this month)

Dunnock

Starling

Blackbird

Song Thrush

Robin

Stonechat 

Meadow Pipit

Pied Wagtail 

Grey Wagtail (central pool)

Skylark 

Wren

Goldfinch

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Linnet

Cetti's Warbler

Chiffchaff 

Blackcap

Wheatear (Grazing Marsh)

Pheasant

Red Legged Partridge (Top Path evening)

Black Headed Gull 

Mediterranean Gull 

Herring Gull 

GBB Gull 

LBB Gull

Common Gull

Cormorant 

Redshank

Common Snipe

Lapwing

Tufted Duck

Teal

Gadwall 

Mallard

Pochard

Shoveller

Shelduck 

Canada Goose 

Greylag Goose 

Egyptian Goose 

Mute Swan 

Moorhen

Coot

Little Grebe 

Grey Heron 

Little Egret 

Peregrine 

Kestrel

Buzzard

Marsh Harrier 

Total 61

Running Total 78