MARCH proved to be a rather quiet month for local birdwatchers. The mild weather at the start led to expectations of the early arrival of summer migrants but the cold snap put paid to that and generally most species were a little later in arriving than in recent years.

The first sand martins were seen at Kiplin Hall on the 23rd with birds at both Nosterfield and Bolton on Swale by the 28th. A little ringed plover was seen at Nosterfield on the 18th but there were no more sightings reported during the month.

I have also had only two reports of March wheatears and only one of white wagtail. The earliest chiffchaff was at Pepper Arden on the 24th with quite widespread reports of singing birds by the month end.

No March swallows were seen this year although I saw one at Sutton under Whitestonecliffe on the still early date of April 2.

Waders too were scarce with black-tailed godwit at Bolton, eight ringed plovers and ruff at Nosterfield and green sandpiper near Newby Wiske the pick of a meagre bunch.

What was notable was a good movement of whooper swans through the area towards the end of the month; this brought up to 31 to Nosterfield, 19 were seen in flight over Bedale, 13 were at Pepper Arden, eight at Kiplin Hall and 18 were reported near Hutton Magna. This coincided with high numbers seen at other sites in Yorkshire.

Escaped species also made their presence felt. The night heron which was seen around Northallerton's Applegarth area in January was relocated this month in Romanby. It has usually been seen roosting in the trees along the Wiske behind the town's football ground. The bird carries a faded red plastic ring on its leg confirming its captive origin.

An even more spectacular sighting was made near Darlington with a vulture species reported flying south over McDonald's. This was presumably the escaped Ruppell's vulture that has been seen on a number of occasions in Cleveland. Finally, an eagle owl has been reported in the Masham area.

The only other sightings of note during March were both Iceland and Mediterranean gull in the roost at Nosterfield.

Looking ahead to April, this is often one of the best months for waders so a trip to Bolton on Swale lakes, Newsham ponds (near the A66) or Nosterfield reserve is often productive.

We have been fortunate to see a marked passage of Icelandic black-tailed godwits through the area in recent years so these are well worth looking for around mid-month. In terms of scarcer waders, it has been a couple of years since avocets last appeared but with breeding now in the North-East these could well be an April possibility.

Another phenomenon of recent years has been an inland passage of rock pipits with Nosterfield in particular attracting this species together with the much scarcer water pipit. White and yellow wagtails should also be on the move and the fields around Bolton on Swale lakes and Catterick gravel pits can be good in the right conditions.

Look in particular for one of the scarcer races of yellow wagtail with the handsome blue-headed wagtail an annual visitor in recent years.

Finally, given the scarcity of cuckoos over the last few summers I would be interested in any reports of the species in April.