Birds in March

Now the short distant migrating spring birds begins to arrive, they mainly winters on the continent. The time of their arrival is mainly determined by the weather. Besides the expected species in our close environment as Starlings and Common Chaffinches many coastal bound birds returns remarkably early. As soon as the ice and snow loosens its grip will Common Ringed Plovers, Eurasian Oystercatchers, and Dabbling Ducks as Northern Pintail, Eurasian Widgeon and Eurasian Teal gather in shallow bays. The first Common Cranes and Eurasian Curlews show up, and if the Kalmar Strait is ice free the Eider migration begins in the latter part of the month.

störrestrandpipare Lars Lundmark Fåglars ÖlandRinged Plover, © Lars Lundmark

strandskata Lars Lundmark Fåglar ÖlandOystercatcher, © Lars Lundmark

kricka Lars Lundmark Fåglars ÖlandTeal, © Lars Lundmark

praktejder Lars Lundmark fåglar ÖlandKing Eider, © Lars Lundmark

forsärla Lars Lundmark Fåglar ÖlandGrey Wagtail, © Lars Lundmark

In particular, at the coast, it happens that single Eurasian Rock Pipits and the occasional Gray Wagtail passes this time of year. None of the species are nesting on Öland, but they are among the early migratory birds.

Now the forests and gardens begin to fill with European Robins and Song Thrushes. Eurasian Woodcocks flies low over the forest at dusk, and when it darkens the Owls takes over the scene. On Öland is the Tawny Owl the most frequent, but from the scattered pine groves can even newly arrived Long-eared Owls low-keyed hooting be heard.

Hornuggla Ottenby Fågelstation Fåglar ÖlandLong-eared Owl , © Ottenby Fågelstation

In the latter part of the month, the first long-distance migrants usually appear, such as White Wagtail, Western Marsh-harrier, Lesser Black-backed Gull and the Osprey.

Birds to scout for in March.

King Eider, Sandwich Tern, Caspian Tern, Black Redstart, European Stonechat, Mistle Thrush and Chiffchaff.

brunkärrhök Lars Lundmark Fåglar ÖlandWestern Marsh Harrier, © Lars Lundmark

kentsk Tärna Lars Lundmark Fåglar ÖlandSandwich Tern, © Lars Lundmark

svartrödstjärt Lars Lundmark Fåglar ÖlandBlack Redstart, © Lars Lundmark

fiskgjuse Lars Lundmark Fåglar ÖlandOsprey, © Lars Lundmark

Ölands-fåglar-ÖOF Öland

Source: Ölands Fåglar © Ölands Ornitologiska Förening ÖOF ÖOF (authors this chapter: Pav Johnsson, Anders Waldenström)

Translation: Visitoland.com

Pictures: see each picture

The book: Ölands Fåglar, 496 pages (only in Swedish), can be ordered at Naturbokhandeln
ISBN: 9789188124555