Cotwall End Valley nature diary: March 2024
March 1
A common buzzard mobbed by two carrion crows high over the eastern slope.
March 4
Common buzzard lazily soaring from east to west, high over the valley.
March 6
Four mistle thrushes on golf course.
March 19
Two mistle thrushes on golf course.
First chiffchaff of the year, several singing birds in woodland.
First grey heron, in low flight at dusk over my home.
March 22
Stock dove calling in woodland alongside the land.
Still lots of scarlet elf cup in woodland.
March 26
Found a badger sett with lots of new excavations.
Also two badger skulls in the immediate area.
March 27
A new tick for the year – and a first for the valley – when a red kite flew almost over my home. Coming from the western ridge, it flew to the centre of the valley before heading south.
March 28
Three common buzzards soaring high over the western slope on my morning walk with my wife and dog.
For the second day on the bounce, a red kite. Just above our home and very low, mobbed by a carrion crow.
A second red kite sighting (most likely to be the same bird), late afternoon, low over homes on the Sandyfields Road/Straits Road link.
March 29
Peregrine falcon in flight over the centre of the valley, from north to south.
March 30
Red kite mobbed by carrion crow over Straits Road by shops.