March was warmer and drier than February. While March this year was a little warmer, overall it was a little wetter than the same month last year. There was a lovely settled spell from 24th to 28th of March.
It is an exciting time of year, awaiting the arrival of our summer visitors and seeing the last of our winter visitors leaving.
The timing of the northerly spring migration is dependent on the weather, not just locally, but throughout the whole length of the migration route. The first summer migrants arrived earlier than last year. The first chiffchaff was reported at Sannox on 11th, 16 days earlier than 2016. The first house martin was reported at Blackwaterfoot on 22nd, almost a month earlier than last year. The first wheatear was reported at Kilpatrick Point on 20th, eight days earlier than 2016. The first swallow was reported at Kilpatrick Farm on 26th, seven days earlier than last year. The first sand martin was reported at Machrie Golf Course on 28th, three days earlier than 2016. The first sandwich tern, a group of five, was reported at Machriewaterfoot on 31st, a day later than last year.