Alcossebre Weather in March 2020.
March 2020 was the wettest on record here with 14.1 inches (357mm) of rain over eight days. The average rainfall for March is 4.6. inches. The first week in March was mixed with high thin cloud cover all week. There were moderate to strong north east winds on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th March. There was a trace of rain on the 2nd March. Temperatures were 2C above the night average – it was 9C above the night average on the 2nd March. It was 2C above the day average. The second week in March was similar to the first week, with most days having high thin cloud cover. Apart from a moderate north east wind on the 9th March, most days had light/gentle winds. Usually north east in the morning and east or south east in the afternoon. Temperatures were 1C above the night average and 2C above the day average. The third week in March was poor weather wise with more cloud than sunshine. There was also nearly a months rainfall over two days – the 16th and 17th. On the 17th there was 4.2 inches of rain. Temperatures were higher than average, 3C above the average night, and 3C above the average day. Winds were mainly light or gentle. The fourth week in March was miserable! Overcast and dull conditions on six days, with three days of rain, on the 22nd, 24th and 25th. Apart from the 24th when there was a moderate easterly all day, the other days had gentle winds. Temperatures were 1C above the average night, and average for the day (18C). The last three days in March started off with a fine, sunny and warm day on the 29th. However, the 30th and 31st gave us even more rain. Torrential rain through the night and day on the 31st amounted to 6 inches of rain, causing widespread flooding. There was a moderate to strong north wind on the 30th and 31st. Temperatures were 3C above average night, but 1C below the average day. Average day temperature was 19C (66F). Average night temperature was 11C (51F). Highest day temperature was 25C (77F) on the 3rd March. Highest night temperature was 18C (64F) on the 2nd March. Coldest day temperature was 13C (55F) on the 31st March. Coldest night temperature was 7C (44F) on the 3rd March. Total rainfall was 14.1 inches (357mm) over eight days, the most rain fell on the 31st with 6 inches (152mm).
0 Comments
The Birdman of Alcossebre. March Bird News and Weather. 73 species were seen in the Alcossebre area in March 2020. I had the company of Richard and Jacky Rhodes on two mornings, and Jenny Rhodes and Colin Street on one morning. There was a first year records for Common Raven and Northern Lapwing. There were first spring records for Common Quail, Osprey, Black-winged Stilts, Caspian Tern, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Willow Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Common Redstart and Black-eared Wheatear. The list of birds seen with comments follows. A pair of Mallard frequented Torre state pond from the 3rd to the 12th March. A single Red-legged Partridge was in the Rural farmland on the 5th and 9th March. A Common Quail heard calling in the Rural farmland on the 6th March was the first this spring. A single Ring-necked Pheasant was heard calling from Olive groves in Rural farmland, throughout the month. Not a common species here because of the hunters. Northern Gannet was very scarce this month – only one adult seen off shore on the 9th March. Great Cormorants on the other hand were seen in good numbers. A total of 643 birds passed through this month. 178 birds on the 6th March. Apart from the passage birds a small number were seen daily either at the Juvenile rock roost or at Capycorp beach. Three species of Egret were seen this month. Three Great Egrets flew east over the sea on the 12th March. One or two Little Egrets were seen along the coast through out the month. A maximum of seven Cattle Egrets were seen in the Rural farmlands. Glossy Ibis passed through in good numbers this month. A total of 445 birds counted with 186 birds in one flock on the 10th March. There were five species of bird of prey seen this month. The first Osprey of spring flew east along the coast on the 28th March. Single Marsh Harriers passed through on nine days, mainly female birds. There were still wintering Northern Sparrowhawks, single birds seen up to the 16th March. A Booted Eagle soared above my house on the 20th March. Up to four pairs of resident Common Kestrels were seen displaying and nest building this month. Up to 12 Common Moorhen were still wintering at the Torre estate pond. Four species of wading birds were seen this month. A single Stone Curlew was seen flying over the Rural farmlands on the 14th March. A single Northern Lapwing (the first this year) was seen in company with Gulls and Terns at Capycorp beach, on the 14th March. The first Black-winged Stilts of spring were seen on the 30th March – eight birds flying east along the coast, and five birds with Gulls and Terns at Capycorp beach. A Green Sandpiper was seen at Torre estate pond on the 2nd March. Five species of Gull were seen this month. Apart from passage birds birds were seen daily at two coastal roost sites. The Juvenile camp rock roost and Capycorp beach. Black-headed Gulls a maximum of 27 birds. Mediterranean Gulls a maximum of 90 birds. Audouin´s Gulls a maximum of 29 birds. Yellow-legged Gulls a maximum of 32 birds. Lesser-black Backed Gulls a maximum of 21 birds. Two species of Tern were seen this month. A single Caspian Tern with the Sandwich Terns at Capycorp beach was the first this spring. Resident Sandwich Terns were in good numbers, up to 46 birds at the Capycorp roost. Resident Wood Pigeons were displaying and nest building, and up to 30 wintering still present up to the month end. Resident Collered Dove numbers were also bolstered by wintering birds – up to 87 birds counted. This has been one of the poorest years for of the Great Spotted Cuckoo, with only three sightings this month. Resident Little Owls were seen or heard daily, One or two birds seen in the Rural farmlands. The first Common Swifts of spring were seen on the 28th March. The first Pallid Swifts of spring arrived earlier, on the 16th March. A single Alpine Swift on the 20th March was the first this spring. 18 birds flew east on the 30th March. There was only one sighting of Common Kingfisher this month, one bird on the 5th March at the Torre estate pond. Up to eight resident Hoopoes were seen daily, now in display and nesting mode. There were still some wintering Common Magpies – up to 26 birds. The resident birds were busy nest building. The first Common Ravens of the year were seen on the 20th March, on the 21st four birds flew east. Three species of Lark were seen this month. Resident Crested Larks were in good numbers with up to 16 birds counted daily. The last wintering Common Skylarks were seen on the 8th March – 10 birds. The last wintering Wood Larks were seen on the 11th March – 6 birds. The first Sand Martins of spring were seen on the 29th March. The last wintering Crag Martins were seen on the 9th March – 13 birds. The first Barn Swallows of spring were seen on the 13th March. By the end of the month 60 birds per hour were passing through. The first House Martins of spring were seen on the 20th March, and two of the Capycorp apartments colony arrived on the 28th March. Resident Great Tits were in nesting mode, with up to five pairs noted. Six species of Warbler were seen this month. The first Willow Warblers of spring were seen daily from the 21st March, up to nine birds counted. The last wintering Common Chiffchaffs were seen up to the 12th March. Resident Zitting Cisticolas were in good numbers for here, with up to six pairs displaying and Zit Zitting. Wintering Blackcaps were still here up to the month end, maximum 12 birds. The first Subalpine Warbler of spring was seen on the 29th March, a fine male. Wintering Robins were still present up to the end of the month, albeit in small numbers, maximum three birds. Wintering Black Redstart numbers were higher with a maximum of 12 birds, up to the month end. The first Common Redstart of spring was seen on the 27th March, a fine male. The first Black-eared Wheatear of spring was seen on the 30th March, a smart male. Wintering Stonechats were seen up to the 14th March, maximum three birds. Resident Common Blackbirds were in nesting mode, but in low numbers, maximum three pairs. Wintering Song Thrushes were seen up to the months end, maximum five birds. There were still good sized flocks of winterring Common Starlings seen, up to the month end. The resident Spotless Starlings were busy nesting. The last wintering Grey Wagtail was seen on the 10th March. Resident White Wagtail numbers were augmented by passage birds, i.e. 14 birds on the 15th March. Wintering Meadow Pipits were seen up to the month end, maximum 30 birds. The last wintering Common Chaffinches were seen up to the 27th March, maximum 368 birds. n contrast resident Greenfinch numbers were much lower with a maximum of 10 pairs. Resident Goldfinch numbers were augmented by wintering birds, 35 birds on the 20th March. There were still wintering Linnets up to the month end, maximum 30 birds. Resident Serin numbers were lower normal, maximum 15 birds. Both House and Tree Sparrow numbers were good with 00´s of each counted.
|
Archives
February 2022
Categories |