March was mainly dry, with a long mild spell at the beginning, which eventually gave way to cold north and north-east winds by the middle of the month. This trend continued with clear sunny days.

Highlights were few, but 74 Whooper Swans at Lower Barden Reservoir (26th) was a very special moment. Other Whoopers had been recorded in smaller flocks migrating in the night over Cottingley (3rd), fifteen flew over John o’ Gaunts (13th), two were on the water at TMR (18th) and observers at Ogden Water saw fifteen on the 27th where a Barnacle Goose was also seen. The flushing of 27 Snipe in the wet areas of Bingley North Bog (5th) was another great surprise!

Golden Plovers gathered in good sized flocks at various locations including Sandwith Moor and Scargill Reservoirs where 600 were recorded on the 13th. Much smaller flocks could be seen at Glovershaw, TMR and Thruscross during this period. There was a gathering of 150 Curlews at Silsden Floods (6th) as the birds were returning to their upland breeding grounds.

Early summer migration was getting under way in the form of four Sand Martins at Knotford Nook (17th), a singing Chiffchaff at Goit Stock, Harden (11th) and a singing Blackcap at Crossflatts (23rd). A male Wheatear was seen at Trough Lane on the 31st.
Winter visitors such as Brambling could still be seen, the best count being 50 at Swinsty (2nd) and 20 along Ilkley Road, Riddlesden on the 18th. Small numbers of Redpoll and Siskins were noted at St. Ives and Fewston and Fieldfares were often seen, with the biggest flock being 200 near the Doubler Stones, Rombalds Moor (28th).

Other reported sightings around the moors included Stonechats which were seen in a good number of places including Bingley Moor (2nd), Trough Lane (3rd), Glovershaw (10th), Hazlewood Moor (11th), Cold Edge Dams (11th), Fly Flatts (11th), Whetstone Gate (11th) and Upper Barden where two pairs were on territory (23rd). Eight un-ringed Twite were near the feeding area at Fly Flatts (11th) and a Raven was mobbed by crows near Whetstone Gate (15th).

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was again present in Shipley Glen and Bull Copy Woods and at a private site in Wharfedale (16th). A Song Thrush was feeding two young birds (20th) and eight Bullfinches visited a Baildon garden, an occasion of note (2nd).
Several sightings of escaped exotic species were reported during the month with an African Grey Parrot and a number of Rose-ringed Parakeets being the most noteworthy.