I am sitting here pondering whether this year is going to be a bit of
stop/start year for the migrant breeders in the u.k? I question as by this
time last year, the Chiffchaff had already been heard singing and the
temperatures were at least on the rise and well, snow (what's that?)

Anyway, it got me thinking, in that most birds pass through North Africa and
Spain (where it's been unusually cold! with much rain in the Sahara) where
are they? Take the Wheatear for example, no British records this spring as
yet and furthermore, they'll be staying south until the winds change I would
imagine. As ever, I'll be keeping an eye on the temperatures further south
and waiting for the Birdguides updates.

Bring on spring please.....

Tony
Newbury, Berkshire
Not even 4c here today, brrrrrrrrrr.

"tony_powell" wrote in message
...
I am sitting here pondering whether this year is going to be a bit of
stop/start year for the migrant breeders in the u.k? I question as by this
time last year, the Chiffchaff had already been heard singing and the
temperatures were at least on the rise and well, snow (what's that?)

Anyway, it got me thinking, in that most birds pass through North Africa
and
Spain (where it's been unusually cold! with much rain in the Sahara) where
are they? Take the Wheatear for example, no British records this spring
as
yet and furthermore, they'll be staying south until the winds change I
would
imagine. As ever, I'll be keeping an eye on the temperatures further
south
and waiting for the Birdguides updates.

Bring on spring please.....

Tony
Newbury, Berkshire
Not even 4c here today, brrrrrrrrrr.

Not quite correct as there was a Wheatear seen in Lancashire on the 2nd of
March according to the BTO Birdtrack site but that is the only record. Last
year the first record was on the 4th and the 2nd on the 10th but the first
part of March 2004 was on the cold side. In 2003 the main records started on
the 7th after a few single earlier records. With the persistent north wind
it will be interesting to see the effect on the timing.

Alan

"tony_powell" wrote in message
...
I am sitting here pondering whether this year is going to be a bit of
stop/start year for the migrant breeders in the u.k? I question as by this
time last year, the Chiffchaff had already been heard singing and the
temperatures were at least on the rise and well, snow (what's that?)

Anyway, it got me thinking, in that most birds pass through North Africa
and
Spain (where it's been unusually cold! with much rain in the Sahara) where
are they? Take the Wheatear for example, no British records this spring
as
yet and furthermore, they'll be staying south until the winds change I
would
imagine. As ever, I'll be keeping an eye on the temperatures further
south
and waiting for the Birdguides updates.

Bring on spring please.....

Tony
Newbury, Berkshire
Not even 4c here today, brrrrrrrrrr.

Not quite correct as there was a Wheatear seen in Lancashire on the 2nd of
March according to the BTO Birdtrack site but that is the only record. Last
year the first record was on the 4th and the 2nd on the 10th but the first
part of March 2004 was on the cold side. In 2003 the main records started on
the 7th after a few single earlier records. With the persistent north wind
it will be interesting to see the effect on the timing.

Alan

"tony_powell" wrote in message
...
I am sitting here pondering whether this year is going to be a bit of
stop/start year for the migrant breeders in the u.k? I question as by this
time last year, the Chiffchaff had already been heard singing and the
temperatures were at least on the rise and well, snow (what's that?)

Anyway, it got me thinking, in that most birds pass through North Africa
and
Spain (where it's been unusually cold! with much rain in the Sahara) where
are they? Take the Wheatear for example, no British records this spring
as
yet and furthermore, they'll be staying south until the winds change I
would
imagine. As ever, I'll be keeping an eye on the temperatures further
south
and waiting for the Birdguides updates.

Bring on spring please.....

Tony
Newbury, Berkshire
Not even 4c here today, brrrrrrrrrr.

Not quite correct as there was a Wheatear seen in Lancashire on the 2nd of
March according to the BTO Birdtrack site but that is the only record. Last
year the first record was on the 4th and the 2nd on the 10th but the first
part of March 2004 was on the cold side. In 2003 the main records started on
the 7th after a few single earlier records. With the persistent north wind
it will be interesting to see the effect on the timing.

Alan

"tony_powell" wrote in message
...
I am sitting here pondering whether this year is going to be a bit of
stop/start year for the migrant breeders in the u.k? I question as by this
time last year, the Chiffchaff had already been heard singing and the
temperatures were at least on the rise and well, snow (what's that?)

Anyway, it got me thinking, in that most birds pass through North Africa
and
Spain (where it's been unusually cold! with much rain in the Sahara) where
are they? Take the Wheatear for example, no British records this spring
as
yet and furthermore, they'll be staying south until the winds change I
would
imagine. As ever, I'll be keeping an eye on the temperatures further
south
and waiting for the Birdguides updates.

Bring on spring please.....

Tony
Newbury, Berkshire
Not even 4c here today, brrrrrrrrrr.

Not quite correct as there was a Wheatear seen in Lancashire on the 2nd of
March according to the BTO Birdtrack site but that is the only record. Last
year the first record was on the 4th and the 2nd on the 10th but the first
part of March 2004 was on the cold side. In 2003 the main records started on
the 7th after a few single earlier records. With the persistent north wind
it will be interesting to see the effect on the timing.

Alan

"Alan Gardiner" wrote in message
...

Not quite correct as there was a Wheatear seen in Lancashire on the 2nd of
March according to the BTO Birdtrack site but that is the only record.

Hi Alan,

Was there? -) I had not read that as yet and I also use that website for
news

Last year the first record was on the 4th and the 2nd on the 10th but the
first
part of March 2004 was on the cold side. In 2003 the main records started
on
the 7th after a few single earlier records. With the persistent north wind
it will be interesting to see the effect on the timing.

Alan

I reckon you should also check the Birdguides site, try using a search on
February Wheatears and you will be surprised, also not forgetting the books
suggest first arrivals occur in February also!

Either way, as you say, it will be interesting and my phenology sightings
will get a kick up the backside soon too.

Tony

"Alan Gardiner" wrote in message
...

Not quite correct as there was a Wheatear seen in Lancashire on the 2nd of
March according to the BTO Birdtrack site but that is the only record.

Hi Alan,

Was there? -) I had not read that as yet and I also use that website for
news

Last year the first record was on the 4th and the 2nd on the 10th but the
first
part of March 2004 was on the cold side. In 2003 the main records started
on
the 7th after a few single earlier records. With the persistent north wind
it will be interesting to see the effect on the timing.

Alan

I reckon you should also check the Birdguides site, try using a search on
February Wheatears and you will be surprised, also not forgetting the books
suggest first arrivals occur in February also!

Either way, as you say, it will be interesting and my phenology sightings
will get a kick up the backside soon too.

Tony

"Alan Gardiner" wrote in message
...

Not quite correct as there was a Wheatear seen in Lancashire on the 2nd of
March according to the BTO Birdtrack site but that is the only record.

Hi Alan,

Was there? -) I had not read that as yet and I also use that website for
news

Last year the first record was on the 4th and the 2nd on the 10th but the
first
part of March 2004 was on the cold side. In 2003 the main records started
on
the 7th after a few single earlier records. With the persistent north wind
it will be interesting to see the effect on the timing.

Alan

I reckon you should also check the Birdguides site, try using a search on
February Wheatears and you will be surprised, also not forgetting the books
suggest first arrivals occur in February also!

Either way, as you say, it will be interesting and my phenology sightings
will get a kick up the backside soon too.

Tony

"Alan Gardiner" wrote in message
...

Not quite correct as there was a Wheatear seen in Lancashire on the 2nd of
March according to the BTO Birdtrack site but that is the only record.

Hi Alan,

Was there? -) I had not read that as yet and I also use that website for
news

Last year the first record was on the 4th and the 2nd on the 10th but the
first
part of March 2004 was on the cold side. In 2003 the main records started
on
the 7th after a few single earlier records. With the persistent north wind
it will be interesting to see the effect on the timing.

Alan

I reckon you should also check the Birdguides site, try using a search on
February Wheatears and you will be surprised, also not forgetting the books
suggest first arrivals occur in February also!

Either way, as you say, it will be interesting and my phenology sightings
will get a kick up the backside soon too.

Tony

Hi Alan,

Was there? -) I had not read that as yet and I also use that website for
news

Last year the first record was on the 4th and the 2nd on the 10th but the
first
part of March 2004 was on the cold side. In 2003 the main records started
on
the 7th after a few single earlier records. With the persistent north
wind
it will be interesting to see the effect on the timing.

Alan

I reckon you should also check the Birdguides site, try using a search on
February Wheatears and you will be surprised, also not forgetting the
books
suggest first arrivals occur in February also!

Either way, as you say, it will be interesting and my phenology sightings
will get a kick up the backside soon too.

Tony

2002 saw a few February records so what you say is correct; the Lancashire
bird probably turned up on the south coast close to the end of February as
well. None in Hertfordshire reported to me so far but thatis not a great
surprise.

Little Ringed Plovers should also be making an appearance soon; it will be
intersting to see if the current blocked weather stup up delays their
return.



Alan Gardiner
Chiswell Green, St Albans
N51:44 W00:21
101m ASL