63 species were seen in the Alcossebre area in March 2018. No new species were added to the Alcossebre list, but a Jackdaw was only the second record here. Red-legged Partridge and Common Redshank were first of the year sightings. There were first of spring sightings for Short-toed Eagle, Alpine Swift, Pallid Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Willow Warbler and Subalpine Warbler. A list of selected species with comments follows:- One to two Red-legged Partridge were seen during the month, the first this year. Single Northern Gannets were seen off shore. A total of 1,103 Great Cormorants were seen on passage this month, with a peak of 440 birds on the 13th March. Single Little Egrets, and up to three Cattle Egrets were seen this month. One passage Osprey was mobbed by Yellow-legged Gulls on the 29th March. A Short-toed Eagle on the 27th March, was the first this spring. Single passage Marsh Harriers were seen on the 20th and the 27th. One or two Eurasian Sparrowhawks were seen during the month. The last of the wintering Common Buzzards were seen on the 13th March. A passage Booted Eagle was seen on the 16th March. The resident Common Kestrels were displaying in preparation for nesting. At least three pairs noted. The wintering Common Moorhens at Torre de Capycorp pond had reduced in number´s from 12 to a pair. The wintering Green Sandpiper at the Torre pond was last seen on the 4th March. A Common Redshank seen on the 28th March was the first since the 7th May 2013. Most of the Gull species were seen on passage, for example 28 Black-headed Gulls flew south on the 14th, as did 30 Audouin´s Gulls. 50 Yellow-legged Gulls flew south on the 11th March. There were still up to 30 Sandwich Terns wintering. Most of the wintering Wood Pigeons had gone by the 11th March, leaving about nine pair´s to breed. Great Spotted Cuckoos were very scarce this month, with only single bird´s seen. There are usually three pairs by the time. Up to three Little Owls were seen this month, about average The first Pallid Swift of spring was seen on the 4th March. The first Alpine Swift of spring was seen on the 26th March. Up to 11 pairs of Hoopoe were busy displaying and Hoop Hooping. Some 15 pairs of Common Magpie were also in nesting mode. A Eurasian Jackdaw at Tropicana camping site on the 31st March was only the second record here in 17 years of observation! Four pairs of resident Created Larks were below normal number´s. The last wintering Skylarks were seen on the 26th March. The last wintering Crag Martins were seen on the 10th March. The first summer Barn Swallows arrived on the 4th March, and the first summer House Martins arrived on the 1st March. Up to five pairs of Great Tit were preparing to nest. The first of spring Willow Warbler arrived on the 27th March. The last wintering Common Chiffchaffs were seen on the 26th March. Wintering Blackcap numbers were still above average with up to 26 birds seen daily. The last wintering Dartford Warbler was seen on the 16th March. The first of spring Subalpine Warbler was seen on the 13th March. Up to seven pairs of resident Sardinian Warblers were preparing to nest. The decline of the Zitting Cisticola continued with no birds being seen this month - the first time in 17 years of observation. The wintering Eurasian Robin was seen on the 29th March. Wintering Black Redstarts were still present up to the end of the month. The last wintering Stonechat was seen on the 17th March. One or two pair´s of Eurasian Blackbirds were preparing to nest. Wintering Song Thrushes were still present up to the 29th March. The last wintering Grey Wagtail was seen on the 9th March. One or two pairs of resident White Wagtails were preparing to nest. Wintering Meadow Pipits were still present up to the end of the month. The last wintering Reed Bunting was seen on the 19th March. Resident Corn Buntings numbers were still supplemented by wintering bird´s, with up to 14 birds noted in the rural farmland´s. The last wintering Common Chaffinch´s were seen on the 20th March. Up to eight pair´s of resident Greenfinch were preparing to nest. There were still flocks of up to 50 Goldfinch seen, with local bird´s preparing to nest. Linnet were still present up to the month end, it remain´s to be seen if any will stay and nest - as they are sporadic breeder´s. Up to 12 pair´s of resident Serin were displaying, and preparing to nest. Alcossebre Weather in March 2018.
March was a drier than average month, and although there was plenty of sunny days, cold north easterly winds keep temperature´s down. The first week in March was a strange mix of mainly fine and sunny in the mornings, and cloudy conditions in the afternoon´s. We had light rain on the 4th March. Temperature´s were 2C below the day and night average. The second week in March was similiar to the first week, a mix of sunny/cloudy spells. We had a trace of rain on the 8th and 13th, with heavier rain on the 10th.Winds were mainly gentle, from the south east. Temperature´s were 1C below the night, and average for the day. The third week in March was mainly fine and sunny. We had light rain on the 17th March. There were strong north east winds on the 20th and 21st. Temperatures dropped to 2C below average day, and 4C below the average night. The fourth week in March was again mainly fine and sunny, with the exception of the 24th March, with overcast conditions and light overnight rain. On the 22nd there was a strong north easterly wind. Temperatures were 2C above the average day, but still 1C below the average night. The last three days of March were fine and sunny, but again with moderate to strong north winds. However, the temperature improved, and for the first time this month we had above average - 3C above the day, and 2C above the night. Average day temperature was 18C (64F). Average night temperature was 7C (44F) Highest day temperature was 25C (77F) on the 28th March. Highest night temperature was 14C (57F)on the 29th March. Coldest day was 14C (57F) on the 8th March. Coldest night was 3C ( 37F) on the 18th March. Total rainfall was 1.2 inches ( 30mm) over six days. Average for March 4.6 inches (118mm).
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