Migration gets underway again

The strong north westerly winds brought migration to a halt prompting the migration stalwarts at Christchurch Harbour, Dorset to comment on their daily log for the 31 March, there were no incoming migrants today. However, as we go into the Easter weekend it looks like all that could be about to change; the wind has been dropping all the time over the last couple of days and migrants have responded accordingly. The first Sedge and Reed Warblers Warblers were seen, Swallows have begun to arrive in reasonable numbers and there have been a few more reports of House Martin and Sand Martin too.

Sedge Warbler by Dawn Balmer

Willow Warblers are also starting to appear and the first two Whitethroats of the spring have also been seen.  With the warmer weather starting to arrive, Osprey reports are also picking up across the UK. Today, 10 birds were seen, signalling that spring is definitely here. Most of these reports were noted as flyovers, from 14 different counties, ranging from Sussex, through Staffordshire and as far north as Co. Durham and Cumbria.

Osprey by northeastwildlife.co.uk

With the weather forecast to settle over the weekend, the floodgates could really open with Sunday possibly being the best day to go in search of summer visitors.

A Night Heron, on St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly might just be the forerunner for one or two more overshooting Mediterranean birds too. Following on from the Alpine Swift in Sussex earlier in the week my bet, albeit tentatively, is on Red-rumped Swallow. 

Red-rumped Swallow