Spring Migrants

[RobinP]

Has anyone had an early migrant yet? I see Ringed Plovers are being reported, would be good to see how early different birds are arriving.

[SheffieldLass]

Maybe not migrants as such, at least from beyond these shores, but on 20th Feb I heard the first golden plover back on the high moors. And today some curlew, lapwing and more golden plover have arrived back on their breeding sites. Great to hear their very distinctive calls again.

Melanie

[Tobermorey]

Robin, do you mean Little Ringed Plovers? I haven't heard of any yet but I wouldn't be surprised - the first ones normally start to turn up here (Essex) around 10th - 20th March.

[RobinP]

No, ordinary Ringed Plovers, one was at Willows Farm, Tyttenhangar (Herts) yesterday, also 2 Redshanks at the GP.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by RobinP

No, ordinary Ringed Plovers, one was at Willows Farm, Tyttenhangar (Herts) yesterday, also 2 Redshanks at the GP.

Yes, As far as I'm aware, Ringed Plovers are both winter migrants (tundrae) and summer migrants. Also some resident all year. (hiaticula). I'm not sure whether populations during the course of the year are exactly split down the above ssp lines but we do have two sorts here, so some will be returning to their breeding ground in the UK about now. The winter visitors (tundrae) will be leaving soon. And our breeding ones that wintered over here will be staying along with a new summer influx.

If a particular location doesn't hold wintering residents or winter visitors, then now will be the first time they will be arriving on that location since leaving last autumn.

Little Ringed Plovers are just summer breeders returning from their wintering grounds in Africa around March.

[Picidae]

Lesser Whitethroat on the coast in Sussex a few days ago. A very few winter over but not in this particular habitat where it was reported from.

[Tobermorey]

Originally Posted by RobinP

No, ordinary Ringed Plovers, one was at Willows Farm, Tyttenhangar (Herts) yesterday, also 2 Redshanks at the GP.

Sorry, I didn't mean to doubt you. Its just that we see Ringed Plovers all year here in Essex and I take them for granted. I don't think of them as migrants although, as Pic has pointed out, I really should do.

[ChrisJB]

There has been a Ring Ouzel at High Newton By The Sea, Northumberland recently. Not summer migrants as such, but a pal of mine has reported the first Curlew back on local moors last week and a few of the local Skylarks are back singing on the mooredge.

Regards, Chris