Spring Woodlark

Up atop Ventnor Downs on 27th, some vis-mig included my first (if later than most including my brother in Scotland) Swallow (north) of the spring and 60 Mipits over. Unusually, a calling Woodlark went over too was a surprise (more an autumn encounter locally). Raptors were up and about in numbers, sparrowhawks (2) and 18 or so common Buzzards; plus, two Red Kites, my second and third birds of the year; always a smart bird even if they are becoming more common. 

Despite breezy south winds on 28th, a morning sea watch from SCP produced little other than a RTD, 12 common scoters east, and evidence of minimal gull passage (a few common and meds). Earlier there had been an Arctic Skua east. A Porpoise was present occasionally breaching east. 

Noc-mig has been quiet since the ouzel: although a noc Mistle Thrush was a first for me. But no waders. 

Although milder, March ends quite unsettled, with blustery south west to west winds and rain. The forecast looks a bit more settled as we go into April and early next week.  

A recent jaunt to the west wight, WHD/Needles headland, yielded very little other than a few wheatear. 

My local (regular) circuit.

 

Noc Ring Ouzel

Still a bit slow going. I haven't yet 'got in' on the recent and remarkable Alpine Swift (UK) influx; despite a couple of IOW records to date, single birds at Culver on 19th and Brading marsh on 20th. But will keep looking..

A Sea watch today (breezy SW conditions) at SCP yielded an Arctic Skua (Dark) east at 08:39 (first of the spring), plus a Sandwich Tern (east). 

The odd Wheatear at various spots. Increase in chiffs etc. 

Noc-mig in Ventnor has been quite interesting including a few waders: Golden Plover, Dunlin, and Eurasian Curlew (18th), and thrushes too (Redwing and Song T). However, the 'noc' thrush highlight came last night (Monday 20th), a Ring Ouzel at 9:07P.M; a first night-time and site record for me. (Its call is superficially similar to a Fieldfare's 'cackle' but differs in being higher pitched with a speedier delivery). 

sonogram 

Normally record some Redwing.

Another first for my local nocmig

Early March

March started off as Feb left: with chilly northerlies and often overcast; and ultimately very little to report. One Siskin over Luccombe Down and a Golden Plover was along the sea wall Wheelers Bay before flying off (yesterday/5th), was about all I could muster; aside from local stuff: Firecrests are active now.

Some early signs of spring/summer migrants from a couple of observers: first Swallow at Blackgang on Feb 26th (GF) and Wheatear at Strawberry Lane/Mottistone on Feb 28th (JM). On the mainland too, House and Sand Martins, the odd LRP, and Osprey, have arrived back. 

Brading Marsh still had a few things: SEO(s), Cattle Egret(s), Hen Harrier, Water Pipit(s) etc. 

However, the weather is about to change somewhat: with variable winds forecast (onshore at times) and quite strong, plus rain - could shake things up/get things going, especially regarding the sea. And some milder temps?.....