March 2001
Thursday 1st.March. Sunny, cold still.
The Garey
One of those wonderfully 'crisp' spring mornings when you can almost see for miles. Several bird species already in full song, the most obvious of which were the Chaffinches and Song Thrushes. There was a large party of Redwings in the treetops near to the ford and large numbers of tit sp. feeding in and around the gardens. Several Crocuses were in flower on the roadside verges and large clumps of Daffodils were in bud. It is a familiar sight on the island in March to see literally thousands of these yellow flowers on the roadside, and while they are attractive, I can't help thinking that they look unnatural. Perhaps an island wide planting scheme of wild flowers would be a better way of 'decorating' the highways and by-ways.
Thursday 8th.March. Southeasterly 3 - sunny and mild
Stinky Dubh, Langness
3 Sand Martins feeding over the dubh were the first spring
arrivals this year. Small, 'chunky' little birds with mid-brown
upperparts and white underparts, the brown chest band was
only visible at very close range. Several skylarks and Pied
Wagtails feeding on the rotting seaweed that gives the tidal
pool it's name. Several pairs of Oystercatchers were flying
around the rocky shore in their noisy display flights as were at
least two pairs of Redshank.
I must mention at this point, the current Foot and Mouth Disease
outbreak which, although no cases have yet been found on the island,
is restricting access to some of the more 'productive' habitats. I can
only hope that the crisis is resolved shortly.
Wednesday 28th. March – south-easterly 2, warm and sunny
Stinky Dubh, Langness
A newly arrived and immaculate male Wheatear of the Greenland race was hopping around on the tide wrack bordering the dubh. Fabulous, contrasting black and pale grey plumage with a subtle peach wash on the breast were the obvious features, but when seen ‘head-on’ the facial mask reminded me of some avian version of a Racoon! A Sand Martin flew in off the sea and briefly hawked over the dubh before heading off down the coast toward Castletown.
Also of note was a large passage of Meadow Pipits, numbering over 100 birds, which moved down the coast from the area of the lighthouse, then across the golf course heading north. On leaving the area, a further 3 Wheatears flew across the front of the car displaying the classic white rump and ‘inverted T’ on the tail. Spring has finally arrived! Unfortunately the ongoing Foot and Mouth restrictions are limiting access to some of the islands better areas for observing migrants.
Saturday 31st.March - south-easterly 1 - wet at first then warm and sunny
Ramsey area
4 species of moth in my light trap this morning, despite heavy, overnight rain and low temperatures. The moths featured in the photographs are Hebrew Character and Early Grey, which, although abundant, are two of the better-marked species which fly in the early spring. Again, there was a distinct influx of Wheatears overnight with at
least 9 being present at the base of the harbour wall in Ramsey. There were 2 Gannets circling around Ramsey Bay, but the flock of 30+ Goldeneye that has been here all winter would appear to have left for their breeding area.
Several Brown Long-eared Bats were feeding over the garden during the dusk hours - remarkably fast and agile creatures, as it was still daylight, their ears were just visible as were their brown bodies which contrasted with the long, black wings.
