RARITY PREDICTOR

Here we go again with another educated stab in the dark, trying to predict an extreme rarity for March, based on former records of birds which have occurred in the country.

ROCK THRUSH

There have been fewer than 30 accepted records of this mountain loving, red-tailed thrush, only three of which have been in this millennium. Though April is probably a better bet for one turning up, one in March would not be unprecedented.

LESSER KESTREL

The Minsmere, Suffolk, male of 2010 was present for four days in late March, so an early spring record is possible for this very rare European falcon. Perhaps this March?

AMERICAN ROBIN

Every year various presumed autumn arrivals appear as if by magic, often in a garden or a park. Could an American Robin be lurking out there somewhere, ready to reveal itself this month?

HOW DID WE DO? PACIFIC DIVER

Once again, this month we need to give ourselves a pat on the back for our prediction of Pacific Diver for the January issue. Not only did the Cornish bird return for its 11th winter period, but a new bird was also found, this time in Northumberland. Exceptionally showy and so very well received by photographers, this diver turned up at the Blyth Estuary and relocated to Druridge Bay where it could provide literally frame-filling shots.