March brought a real sense of renewal to the Millennium Country Park, as longer days, milder temperatures and bursts of birdsong signalled that spring was well underway. Although March felt windy and milder than usual, the landscape at the Park began to wake from its winter slumber, and with it came one of the most exciting times of year for wildlife enthusiasts — the return of our summer migrants.

Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from a lively and ever-changing month.

Published 9th April 2026

View full March bird list here

Small but mighty

One of the clearest signs of spring was the arrival of our first migratory birds. Chiffchaffs were among the earliest to return, their familiar “chiff-chaff” call ringing out across woodland and scrub. Soon after, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers followed, adding to the growing dawn chorus.

The skies also came alive with the arrival of Sand Martins, Swallows, and House Martins. These agile aerial feeders had travelled thousands of miles from Africa to breed here. Swallows, in particular, are known to return to the same nesting sites each year — an incredible feat of navigation that highlights the importance of protecting these habitats.

Our returning Sand Martins wasted no time in making use of the Sand Martin Wall within the Wetlands Nature Reserve, arriving just days after our Ranger Team had carefully packed the nesting holes with fresh sand and suitable materials.

This specially designed, manmade structure plays a vital role in supporting the species, mimicking the natural sandy riverbanks that Sand Martins rely on for nesting — habitats which have declined due to erosion control and development. By providing a safe and stable nesting site, the wall helps boost breeding success and ensures these remarkable long-distance migrants have a reliable place to raise their young each year.

Images left to right: Willow Warbler (credit: Martin Rogers), Blackcap, Swallow

Wetlands full of life

While some winter visitors began to depart, the wetlands remained busy. Oystercatchers and Redshank were recorded, both species favouring wet grasslands and muddy edges at this time of year.

Among the reeds, the elusive Bittern remained a standout species, if you’ve visited the Wetlands Nature Reserve towards the end of March you may have been lucky enough to hear the male Bittern prepping for mating season with his ‘booming’ calls. Great Crested Grebes were also beginning their elegant courtship displays on open water — a sure sign that spring is in full swing.

Images left to right: Oyster Catcher (credit: Liz Hall), Redshank (credit: Martin Rogers), Great Crested Grebe (credit: Thomas Drew)

Raptors on the rise

With warmer air and rising thermals, birds of prey became more active. Red Kites and Buzzards were frequently seen soaring overhead, while Kestrels hovered with precision over grassland in search of small mammals.

The impressive Marsh Harrier continued to patrol the wetlands – we hope to see another successful year of breeding for our Marsh Harrier this summer.

Images left to right: Marsh Harrier (credit: Martin Rogers), group of Red Kite (credit: Martin Rogers), Marsh Harrier (credit: Liz Hall) 

Finches and farmland birds

Hedgerows and open spaces were alive with finches and farmland birds. Goldfinches, Greenfinches, and Chaffinches fed on seeds, while Yellowhammers — with their bright yellow heads and distinctive “a little bit of bread and no cheese” song — brought a splash of colour and sound to the landscape.

Flocks of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll lingered early in the month, making the most of available food before gradually moving on.

Images from left to right: Lesser Redpoll (credit: Martin Rogers), Goldfinch (credit: Martin Green), Yellow hammer (stock)

Looking ahead

March marked a turning point at the Millennium Country Park — from the quiet stillness of winter to the vibrant energy of spring. With more migrants set to arrive in the coming weeks and breeding activity increasing across the Park, there’s plenty to look forward to.

Whether it’s the acrobatic flight of swallows, the song of returning warblers, or the first signs of nesting activity, now is one of the best times to get out and experience the Park.

Spring has truly arrived.

View full March bird list here

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