March is one of the most exciting months of the year as far as birding is concerned. It is officially the ‘start of the season’ with it all to play for! While wintery weather often persists, the main Spring movement of birds is well underway and with that the prospect of new arrivals each day. 
Southerly and south-easterly winds favour these arrivals and changes in weather systems, especially heavy rain showers, can deposit migrating birds so it is worth braving the elements in search of these.
Leading the way are two gravel pit-lovers – Sand Martins and Little Ringed Plovers – that typically turn up in the first half of the month. They are the first long-distance migrants to arrive from Africa and true heralds of Spring and the summer ahead. Not far behind them are Wheatears – often pristine males arriving ahead of the females and favouring areas of open ground, especially near water. Checking fence posts and scanning farm fields, especially on high ground can result in one or more of these birds popping into view.
Newly arriving birds are usually in mint condition ready for the breeding season and are, as such, a joy to encounter. However, unlike the autumn period, migrants tend to keep moving – after all they have territories to establish and mates to find. Encounters can be brief with birds present one minute and gone the next. That said the chance of seeing new birds arrive is also raised and witnessing waders dropping in or the passage of hirundines overhead brings a real sense of that movement and makes lingering on the patch worthwhile.
As the month goes on into the latter half the chance of encountering many of our returning summer visitors is increased. Typically Swallows, House Martins, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers are the next to arrive but every year can throw up surprises. An early Cuckoo, Hobby or Ring Ouzel is quite possible and by the end of March movement should be in full flow. Gravel pits, lakes and flooded fields are worth checking for waders as many will stop off briefly to feed on any suitable pool. Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit are all regular visitors while rarer waders such as Avocet might also be found.
While the bulk of our wintering Common Gulls will depart this month the general movement increases the chance of something rarer turning up. Early Spring can see a passage of Little Gulls – sometimes brought down in heavy rain – and the possibility of an Iceland Gull appearing in the flock. Where rooftop colonies exist – usually on industrial flat roofs – adult Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls will be in full breeding mode, paired-up and displaying noisily.
As in any migration month, eyes to the sky can be rewarding with two birds of prey in particular to look out for. Ospreys are heading north to their breeding territories but habitually make brief stop-offs at lakes and other waterbodies to catch a meal enroute. Scanning over large woodland areas, if you’re lucky, may catch a sight of a displaying Goshawk but these birds, while on the increase, remain a rare bird in the County and sightings should be treated as sensitive information, especially if seen in suitable breeding habitat.
Throughout the month, areas of water are inevitably the focus as all birds seek out the rich feeding opportunities provided by wetland habitats. Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit flocks swell before dispersing and Rock and Water Pipits may well turn up with them along with White Wagtails or even an early Yellow Wagtail. Garganey is another early Spring migrant with male birds looking very smart. If a female is present too you
may well get to hear the drake’s strange rattle-like call, sometimes almost sounding like a snort!
Migration of course continues throughout the night too and for those with ‘nocmig’ (nocturnal migration) recorders or the patience to stand outside and listen, birds may, on occasion, be heard passing overhead. Common Scoter are known night-time migrants with their soft calls audible on a still night while waders and other ducks may also be passing overhead. The calls of Curlew and Stone Curlew have both been recorded in recent years with Teal and Wigeon also calling as they pass overhead.
Of course, March is not just about the migrants and our regular resident songbirds will now be in full voice with the songs of Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks and Wrens coming to the fore. Joining them will be Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs pre-empting the arrival of the summer warblers. 
With hawthorn, blackthorn and cherry blossom out March is also a great month to spot Bullfinches that love nothing better than picking at blossom buds.
Wherever you are in Herts, March is a month to get out looking (and listening) with a very real chance that you will be rewarded with newly arrived migrants be they expected or rare. Make sure you check out the Herts Spring Migrant Tracker showing dates for previous Spring migrants along with live updates as birds arrive this Spring.
With birds on the move across continents March has unsurprisingly thrown up some rarities over the years and while our common Swifts may still be a month away, Alpine Swifts are a bird that could well make another early Spring appearance.
Recent rarities in March:
Alpine Swift – Amwell (2023)
White Stork – Amwell (2019)
White-tailed Eagle – Panshanger Park (2022)
Stone Curlew – Stanborough Gravel Pits (2022)