BELOW

on 9th, relocating to Edgbaston Reservoir from 11th-15th, while that in Central Scotland remained at Blairdrummond Wildlife Park until at least 29th.

Raptors, waders, gulls and terns

The adult male Northern Harrier survived on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) until at least 18th, while at least six Rough-legged Buzzards continued, including the juvenile at Holland Haven (Essex). The odd Stone-curlew had put in an appearance in Suffolk Breckland as early as 12th, but on the rare wader front, a fairly poor showing, with Cornwall’s wintering Hudsonian Whimbrel still commuting between Perranuthnoe and Marazion until 31st, the Spotted Sandpiper at Pilmore Strand, Youghal (Co. Cork) until 3rd, the Lesser Yellowlegs at Breydon Water (Norfolk) until 4th and Longbilled Dowitchers at Cresswell Pond (Northumberland), Pennington Marshes (Hants) and at Rutland Water (Leics) throughout. Adult Bonaparte’s Gulls were seen at Thurso Harbour (Caithness) and Dawlish Warren NNR and environs (South Devon), all month, while Ring-billed Gull sightings included five in Britain and up to 25 in Ireland. Both American Herring Gulls remained in West Cornwall, at St Just and Newlyn respectively, with a new bird on Barra from 3rd, while the adult Glaucous-winged Gull at Castletownbere Harbour (Co. Cork) was noted until at least 31st. A Franklin’s Gull was reported from Siblyback Reservoir (Cornwall) on 5th, while the longstaying adult Forster’s Tern in Galway survived until at least 16th.

Landbirds

The overwintering Hoopoe at Wall Heath, Kingswinford (West Midlands) survived until at ABOVE (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) American Wigeon, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, 10 March

Surf Scoter, Filey Brigg, North Yorkshire, 10 March

Richard’s Pipit, Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire, 10 March

Long-billed Dowitcher, Cresswell Pond, Northumberland, 11 March Hoopoe, Hinksford, Staffs, 6 March least 31st. Wintering Shore Larks decreased to five, with both Flamborough Head Richard’s Pipits at North Landing all month, the two Black-bellied Dippers on Shetland and just the odd Bohemian Waxwing noted. This year’s record Penduline Tit influx continued, with one or two still at Titchfield Haven NNR (Hants) until 14th, the two males at Horsbere Pool, Gloucester (Gloucs) until at least 31st and two at Saltholme Pools (Cleveland) until 12th, with further singles at Magnolia NR (Essex) on 14th15th and Strumpshaw Fen RSPB (Norfolk) from 15th-31st. The Rose-coloured Starling remained on The Lizard (Cornwall) throughout, with a Little Bunting at Church Farm, near Woking (Surrey) from 13th-31st.