March Highlights

Strong North winds means we have time to look back on the Month. Here is a summary for MARCH

This month we have seen the beginning of migration with many ‘firsts for the year’ arriving back from wintering grounds, along with the presence of species which overwinter on Skomer. Merlins are one of these ‘overwintering’ birds and were seen on four dates through the month. Excitingly, two Barn Owls were watched flying low over the Bracken east of the farm on the 3^rd, will they breed on the island this year? The first Chiffchaff of the year was spotted on the 3^rd and numbers continued to rise, with 15 counted on the 26^th and 27^th. Some even had pollen on their faces, clumping their feathers together, a sign they’ve just arrived from a warmer climate.

Large flocks of Starling were seen at the beginning of the month with a peak count of 324 on the 3rd. Common Snipe were recorded on five days in March and are often difficult to detect unless flushed by the observer!

There were 34 Puffins noted at sea on the 10^th and just five days later 1877 were recorded. Numbers continued to increase and they first landed on the island on the 26^th. Up to three Fieldfare were observed on 6 days mid-month, the first of which on the 12^th. A Grey Heron flew over on the 14^th,surprisingly, they are not a frequent visitor Skomer despite their presence on the mainland. A Dunlin was also recorded on 14th at the Amos amongst the roosting Oystercatchers.

The first Manx Shearwater was heard in the evening of the 14^thby Chris and 14 were later seen on the 22^nd. Numbers continue to rise and birds can occasionally be heard calling from in their burrows during the day. A Sand Martin passed by on the 15^thfor that first time this season and have been passing in low numbers ever since.It was a good month for Black Redstarts with single counts on the 15^th, 17^th, 24^th, 25^th and 26^th, the first adult male of the season was absolutely stunning!! Wheatears returned on the 15^th and by the 27^th there were 14 noted, favouring the Skomer Head area. Redwings werefirst seen on the 15^th, others followed on 17^th, 18^th and 24^th. This month Goldcrest numbers reached 12 on the 15^th. Lewis saw a Collared Dove on the island on the 22^nd, like the Grey Heron, this species is unusual out on Skomer. Blackcaps were back from the 23^rd feasting on large flies, with six seen the 26^th. Willow Warblers arrived back from Africa on the 24^th with a maximum count for the month of 22 on the 27^th. A Red Kite visited briefly on the 25^th having visited Skokholm earlier in the day, it was a clear, warm day, perfect conditions for a Kite to explore. Barn Swallows were first noted on the 25^th and have been seen sporadically ever since, a true sign of summer!

On the 27^th Sarah found a female Ring Ouzel at the Garland Stone during a walk around the island – which was a nice surprise! To finish the month of nicely, two House Sparrows ventured out to the island on the 28^th, again, another species common on the mainland but of great excitement to us on Skomer.