NO-ONE will be surprised that March, with its bitter cold, was not a good month for summer migrants. Nevertheless, a couple of hardy birds braved the conditions.

The first was a Little Ringed Plover which was seen at Scorton on the 20th. Further birds were spotted at Nosterfield and Pallett Hill before the month end. A single hardy (or foolhardy) Sand Martin also appeared at Nosterfield on the 21st but not surprisingly was last seen flying rapidly back south. Chiffchaffs managed to make their way to Morton-on-Swale, Scorton and Aiskew.

The weather also delayed the departure of winter visitors. Masses of winter thrushes were still present through to the month end including a flock of over 700 Fieldfares at Ainderby Steeple. One of these birds was taken by a tiny male Sparrowhawk not much larger than the bird it caught.

The cold also stopped movement over the Pennines so birds massed on the waters along the A66, including a remarkable count of over 300 Oystercatchers, 250 Curlews, 2,500 Golden Plover and more than 60 Redshank. The weather might also have been the explanation for a strong movement of Common Buzzards with at least 15 birds seen flying north over Newsham on the 15th.

As predicted there was a strong northward movement of Whoopers Swans through the area in March.

This year was quite exceptional with the larger numbers recorded including 100 birds near Boltonon-Swale, 107 at Nosterfield, 81 at Thorpe Farm pools, 50 on floodwater at Morton-on-Swale, 39 at Great Langton, 26 at Scorton, 24 at Leighton Reservoir and 110 over Cleasby. Two of the much rarer Bewick’s Swans were also seen at Nosterfield.

Other wildfowl sightings included Smew and Scaup at Cleasby. Two Egyptian Geese were at Lingham and a pair of Mandarin were seen on the Ure near Wensley. A light wader movement brought Avocets to Nosterfield and Newsham. A Green Sandpiper was at Scorton and Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff and Jack Snipe were all seen at Nosterfield. Another Jack Snipe was reported at Stapleton.

Rarer species seen in March included two Cranes flying north over the A66. These were presumably the birds which had been seen in East Yorkshire and in the York area earlier in the month. A probable White-tailed Eagle seen flying north near Ripon on the 13th may have been the juvenile bird reported later from Barningham Moor. However, the timings and distance would have meant a very speedy flight.

Other sightings in March included two Red Kite near Thirsk, both Mediterranean and Glaucous Gull in the roost at Lingham and a Kittiwake at Scorton. A few Waxwing were still present with a group of 19 in Aiskew and a well-watched flock on South Parade, Northallerton which peaked at 31 birds.

Through April, assuming it gets any warmer, the summer visitors should rush in. One of my favourite migrants is the Wheatear. They are regular breeders in upland areas but April sees them passing through lowland sites. They seem to particularly like sun-warmed ploughed fields.

Towards the end of the month larger, brighter birds can turn up.

These are thought to be birds which breed in the far north, reaching as far as Greenland. Remarkably the fitting of radio transmitters has shown on their return flight in autumn they make a single ocean crossing from Greenland to south-western Europe.