Spring is here, and hopefully by now you will have seen your first migrants.  It is an exciting time of year as we wait for the arrival of all of our summer visitors, and see the last of our winter visitors leaving.

March had twice as much rain as February but a dry settled spell from 17^th to 23^rd seemed to encourage the arrival of the spring migrants.  The first Wheatear was reported on 17^th at Clauchlands.  Last year the first report of Wheatear was some eight days later on 25^th.  The earliest report for Wheatear is 13 March in 2005.  On 18^th two Sand Martins were investigating the nest holes at Sannox sand quarry.  Last year the first report was some eleven days later.  On 20^th a Chiffchaff was heard calling in Whiting Bay.  Last year the first report of Chiffchaff was some fifteen days later on 4 April.  Our summer visitors should continue to arrive in April.  Look out for White Wagtail, Swallow, House Martin, Willow Warbler, Sandwich Tern, Common Sandpiper, and, who knows, perhaps even Cuckoo – a sound of summer.

In March, some of our winter visitors were around including: three Waxwings in Brodick on 7^th; two Purple Sandpipers at Kildonan on 17^th; over one hundred Whooper Swans flying over Blackwaterfoot on 19^th; a Greenshank at Clauchlands on 28^th; three pairs of Goldeneye in Whiting Bay on 30^th; and the wintering Greylag Geese flock in the Shiskine Valley had two Barnacle Geese and up to thirteen Pink-footed Geese at the end of the month.

Other sightings included: a Blackcap in Lamlash on 2^nd; a Red-necked Grebe in Whiting Bay on 9^th; twelve Black Guillemots at Brodick Pier on 17^th; a Whimbrel at Machrie on 18^th; a Short-eared Owl on the high ground above Whiting Bay on 20^th and a Great Spotted Woodpecker in Corrie on 22^nd

In a previous “Bird Notes” reference was made to the numbers of Siskins passing through gardens.  In 2007, the month when most Siskins were reported was February, in 2008 it was January, and this year it has been March, with up to twelve in Blackwaterfoot on 17^th and eight in Lamlash on 29^th.

Spring is a great time to be birding, as most birds are getting on with the business of breeding.  The business of breeding involves attracting a mate by song, courtship display and ritual, defining a territory, nest building, and generally establishing relationships.  Please report any signs of breeding birds to me

Please remember that under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is being built or used.

Finally, the “Arran Bird Report for 2008” published by the Arran Natural History Society is now available from shops and other outlets throughout the island, priced £3.50.