As spring takes hold, London’s skies and landscapes are alive with the comings and goings of migratory birds. While some species arrive to herald the warmer months, others are bidding farewell, embarking on epic journeys to their breeding grounds across Europe and beyond. From the departure of winter visitors like blackbirds and starlings to the fleeting appearances of peregrines and harriers, March is a month of transition and transformation.
Join us on 06 March as we explore the fascinating world of bird departures in London. Discover why some black-headed gulls arrive while others leave, where to spot the last of the wintering thrushes before they disperse, and how to witness the dramatic exodus of ducks and waders from our lakes and reservoirs. We’ll also take you on the incredible journey of swallows as they begin their 3,000-mile trek from Africa to our shores.
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Bird Departures
Other birds such as some blackbirds and starlings that only visited us for the winter, are now leaving us for gardens in Sweden and Finland. These migrant starlings often have slightly darker bills than their British counterparts. There are also black-headed gulls arriving from the south, whilst others such as common gulls are passing through en route to Scandinavia and lesser blackbacked leaving to breed on the coast.
Among the garden birds, some robins and hedge sparrows are also returning having spent the winter abroad. Similarly, some local thrushes, having used London as a safe winter refuge, are now starting to disperse.
Pied wagtails, chaffinches, snipe, curlew and bramblings could all now be moving north, although some will stay if they find suitable places to breed. Some woodcock, after pairing, may set off for Russia. Recently arrived stonechats can be seen sitting on the top of gorse bushes in places like Rainham marshes and meadow pipits may be seen running mouse-like among grass tussocks. Migrant wagtails and pipits sometimes roost in the reed beds where reed buntings may even be heard singing briefly before they continue north. Some peregrines and harriers are also passing through, making brief appearances in places like Barn Elms Wetland Centre and even over the city itself.
There are also big changes occurring on our lakes and reservoirs. Springs of teal suddenly disappear, as do knobs of widgeon, flights of pochard and teams of shovelers. They are all leaving as for their breeding grounds in Eastern Europe. Everywhere numbers of tufted duck are getting less. If you take a rough count daily on a local lake, there will be one day when the weather is good that you are suddenly aware they have all disappeared.
Redwings and fieldfares continue to leave in small groups for Scandinavia via the North Sea, but some preferring to go via Belgium if the weather is poor. Far, far south our summer swallows now have started their momentous three thousand mile journey from equatorial Africa, across the sandy wastes of the Sahara. Their journey will be harder going north than it was returning south last year yet even so one or two leaders occasionally arrive this month.
