These monthly summaries are compiled for WOS by Sam Viles at Birdguides. UK rarities are indicated in BOLD CAPITALS and national rarities are indicated in BOLD ITALIC CAPITALS and are subject to acceptance by the British Birds Rarities Committee (UK rarities) or the Welsh Birds Rarities Committee (national rarities).

March was a largely quiet month on the rarity front, March nevertheless saw an impressive Welsh BONAPARTE’S GULL showing. Most evident was the popular second-winter in the Cardiff Bay roost until 12th. Commuting to and from Cosmeston Lakes CP on 9th and 12th, it later moved more than 180 km ESE to Chichester GPs, West Sussex, from 22nd. Additional first-winters reported at Conwy RSPB, Conwy, on 5th and Porthcawl, Glamorgan, on 9th would prove unfortunately brief visitors.

Glamorgan’s spectacular RING-NECKED DUCK sextuplet at Kenfig Hill remained the country’s most popular draw. The species was again well-spread, with others at Llyn Brenig, Clwyd, Llys-y-Fran Reservoir, Pembrokeshire, Bala Lake, Gwynedd, Cefni Reservoir, Anglesey, and both Lisvane Reservoir (two) and Kenfig Pool, Glamorgan.

It is said that one Swallow does not make a summer, but they are a staple feature of spring – early migrants were at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB, Clwyd, on 15th and Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire, on 18th; Carmarthen’s wintering individual remained at Kidwelly early doors. Five House Martins were an early arrival over Pontardawe, Glamorgan, on 18th.

Northern Wheatears began to trickle in from 7th, when an early arrival was at Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey. The first Ring Ouzel, meanwhile, was at World’s End, Clwyd, on 13th. Artro Estuary, Gwynedd, scored the first Western Osprey of the spring on 23rd.

Early Willow Warblers were reported in Glamorgan on 15-16th; late Siberian Chiffchaffs were at Trefin, Pembrokeshire (two), and both Newton (two) and Cardiff Bay, Glamorgan. An ‘eastern’ Lesser Whitethroat was in gardens at Chirk, Clwyd, with the first Sedge Warbler reported at Morfa Madryn, Conwy, on 27th. Migrant Firecrest visited Penrhos Coastal Park, Anglesey, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Bardsey Island, Gwynedd, and Skomer, Pembrokeshire.

Although none would prove twitchable, Lapland Buntings flew over South Stack RSPB, Anglesey (on 23rd), and Great Orme, Conwy (on 26th). Snow Buntings were at seven sites, including inland birds at Llyn Aled, Conwy, and Pen-y-Fan, Powys.

The Great Grey Shrike at Bryn Trillyn, Conwy, remained; Hawfinch counts peaked at two traditional locations with 18 at Llanrwst, Conwy, and 10 at Llanelltyd, Gwynedd and a single was seen and heard on a Rook survey visit near Halkyn, Flintshire. Five sites held Water Pipits, with a high count of seven at Peterstone Wentlooge, Gwent. Hooded Crows visited Skokholm and Gann Estuary, Pembrokeshire, and Dinas Dinlle, Gwynedd, with up to three on Anglesey.

Four GLOSSY IBIS from this winter’s influx remained: at Llanelli Wetland Centre WWT, Carmarthen, Llansamlet, Glamorgan, Goldcliff Pools, Gwent, and Dale, Pembrokeshire. WHITE STORKS – likely from the Knepp, Sussex, reintroduction scheme – were logged over Buckley, Flintshire, on 11th and nearby Queensferry on 27th, while a WHITE-TAILED EAGLE – presumably likely from the Isle of Wight – flew north-west over Penhow, Gwent, on 30th.

A wider Garganey influx across Britain from mid-month delivered birds to nine sites in Glamorgan, Pembrokeshire, Clwyd, Conwy and Anglesey – counts of six at Malltraeth, Anglesey, and four at Conwy RSPB, Conwy, were particularly impressive.

A drake RED-CRESTED POCHARD brightened up Kenfig Pool, Glamorgan, from 10th, with a brief excursion to Cosmeston Lakes CP on 21st. Pendine, Carmarthen, continued to host up to four SURF SCOTER, with the same number still off Llanddulas, Conwy. In Gwent, a brief Tundra Bean Goose at Goldcliff Pools provided additional interest.

Iceland Gulls included birds at Little Orme and Conwy RSPB, Conwy, Teifi Estuary, Pembrokeshire, and Sker Point and Cardiff Bay, Glamorgan, the latter accompanied by a first-winter CASPIAN GULL on several dates. A second-winter Glaucous Gull flew east over Skokholm, Pembrokeshire, on 20th. Five Little Gulls were recorded – two at Cardiff Bay, Glamorgan, and singletons at Connah’s Quay, Clwyd, Sandy Water Park, Carmarthen, and Lisvane Reservoir, Glamorgan.

The first Little Ringed Plover of the spring was reported in Glamorgan on 14th.

Sam Viles