March 2019

Last update 08.04.2019. at 22:45:33
    
   
31.03.2019.
Garganey (Anas querquedula) 1 M with ~20 Teals (Anas crecca) to N at Jurmalciems, Nica county (I.Brediks), 2 (M & F) at Valle surroundings, Vecumnieki county (M.Kilups), 2 (M & F) at Aiviekste river next to Laudona village bridge, Madona county (A.Avotins sen.). First spring migrants record. Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) 1 M/2cy in Daugava river at Ciemupe, Ogre county (D.Boiko). Rare inland. Red Kite (Milvus milvus) 1 at Baidzele surroundings, Grobina county (G.Grandans, E.Dzenis), 1 at Tasi surroundings, Grobina county (E.Dzenis, G.Grandans). Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) 20 to N in 3 hours at Jurmalciems, Nica county (I.Brediks, J.Ukass). First spring migrants record. Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) 1 singing at Sventaja river walley, Rucava county (G.Grandans), 1 singing at Ventaslejas surroundings, Kuldiga county (G.Grandans, E.Dzenis).

  
30.03.2019.
Red Kite (Milvus milvus) 1 at Grobina rubbish dump, Grobina county (G.Grandans, E.Dzenis). Dunlin (Calidris alpina) 1 at Liepaja lake E coast, Grobina county (I.Brediks, J.Ukass). Quite early first spring migrant record. Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) 1 singing at Ogre (V.Roze), 2 singing at Lenas, 2 singing at Daubeskalns, Skrunda county (G.Grandans). Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) 1 trapped and ringed at Jurmalciems, Nica county (P.Daknis et al.). Quite early first spring migrant record.

  
29.03.2019.
Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) 5; Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) 1 in the flock of ~1800 Anser sp. at Kalngale fields, Carnikava county (I.Denisovs). Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) 1 2cy with Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) and ~50 European Golden Plovers (Pluvialis apricaria) in the puddle next to Gailu pond, Aizpute county (R.Rekmanis). Earliest spring migrant record! Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) 1 singing at Ezermuiza surroundings, Dundaga county (E. & V.Smislovs, R.Matrozis), 1 singing at Tukums surroundings, Skrunda county (G.Grandans, E.Dzenis). Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) 1 M at Skervelis river, Skrunda county (G.Grandans).

 		 Anser brachyrhynchus
 Branta ruficollis
 
27.03.2019.
Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) 1 at Vecsaule surroundings, Bauska county (E.Laucis). Dark-bellied Brant Goose (Branta bernicla) 1 in the flock of Anser sp. at Adazi fields, Adazi county (I.Denisovs). Present since 23.03.2019. (I.Brediks). Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) 1 next to Ozolaine pond at flooded meadow, Bauska county (E.Laucis). Quite early first spring migrant record.

 Anser brachyrhynchus
Branta bernicla 
 Philomachus pugnax
26.03.2019.
European Serin (Serinus serinus) 1 singing at Vecmilgravis, Riga (I.Denisovs). Quite early first spring migrant record.

  Serinus serinus
25.03.2019.
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) 1 soaring over Teici Nature Reserve at Kristakruga bird tower, Krustpils county (M.Linsley, I.Vilskerste).

  
24.03.2019.
Dark-bellied Brant Goose (Branta bernicla) 1 in the flock of ~3000 Anser sp. at Kaupi surroundings, Babite county (E. & V.Smislovs, A.Kurockins). Rare inland. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1 at Saka surroundings, Pavilosta county (R.Rekmanis). Quite early first spring migrant record. Red Kite (Milvus milvus) 1 locally at Marijas surroundings, Aizpute county, 1 migrating N at Mezaine surroundings, Pavilosta county (R.Rekmanis). Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) 2 foraging at Valgunde surroundings, Jelgava county (E. & V.Smislovs, A.Kurockins). Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) 1 at Burtnieki next to boat channel, Burtnieki county (J.Ukass). First spring migrants record for Common Redshank and Grey Wagtail. Twite (Carduelis flavirostris) 12 locally at Cirava surroundings, Aizpute county (R.Rekmanis).

  Motacilla cinerea
23.03.2019.
Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) 1 in the flock of ~2000 Anser sp. at Eimuri fields, Carnikava county (I.Brediks), 2 in the flock of ~1500 Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) at Svete river floodplain fields, Jelgava county (E. & V.Smislovs), 2 in the flock of Anser sp. at Kaupi surroundings, Babite county (E. & V.Smislovs). Dark-bellied Brant Goose (Branta bernicla) 1 in the flock of ~2000 Anser sp. at Eimuri fields, Carnikava county (I.Brediks). First spring migrant record and rare inland. Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 2 MM & 1 F at Svete river floodplain fields, Jelgava county (E. & V.Smislovs). Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) 1 vocalizing at Kanieris lake, Engure county (I.Brediks). First spring migrants records for Northern Shoveler and Water Rail.

 Anser brachyrhynchus
 Branta bernicla
22.03.2019.
Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) 1 in the flock of ~2500 Anser sp. at Bitenieki surroundings, Dobele county (K.Millers). Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) 1 at flooeded meadow next to Ozolaine pond, Bauska county (E.Laucis). Curlew (Numenius arquata) 1 migrating at Pape lake N end next to Tukleru channel, Nica county (I.Mednis). Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) >5 in the flock ~200 of Fieldfares (Turdus pilaris) locally at Lejasstrzdi surroundings, Dobele county (K.Millers), 5 migrating N at Akmensrags, Pavilosta county (R.Rekmanis). First spring migrant records for Green Sandpiper, Curlew and Song Thrushes.

 Anser brachyrhynchus
Tringa ochropus 
21.03.2019.
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) 1 locally and 2 to N; Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) 1 to S at Akmensrags, Pavilosta county (R.Rekmanis). Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) and 1 Carion x Hooded Crow hybrid (Corvus corone x Corvus cornix) in the flock of Hooded Crows (Corvus cornix) locally at Akmensrags, Pavilosta county (R.Rekmanis). Carrion Crow present at least since 18.04.2018. (R.Rekmanis et al.). Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) 2 MM singing at Pavilosta surroundings, Pavilosta county (R.Rekmanis).

  
20.03.2019.
Red Kite (Milvus milvus) 1 locally at Ziemupe, Pavilosta county (D.Vitola). Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) 1 M singing in the forest at Koninciems surroundings, Pavilosta county (R.Rekmanis).

  
19.03.2019.
Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) 1 at Priekule surroundings, Priekule county (M.Strazds). Quite early first spring migrant record.

  
18.03.2019.
Red Kite (Milvus milvus) 2 at Tasu lake, Grobina county (K.Millers).

  Milvus milvus
17.03.2019.
Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca) 13 at Kuguru pond, Saldus county (V.Jaunzemis, M.Jaunzemis). First spring migrants record.

  
16.03.2019.
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) 1 F/2cy at Laudona, Madona county (A.Avotins sen.). First spring migrant record.

  
15.03.2019.
Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) 2 in the flock of ~3000 Anser sp. at Stakeldanga surroundings, Aizpute county (R.Rekmanis). White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) 2 in the nest at Sakstagals, Rezekne county (I.Vilskerste), 1 at Preili parish next to the pond, Preili county (A.Ceirans). Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) 1 at Burtnieks lake, Burtnieks county (J.Ukass). First spring migrant records. Hedge Accentor (Dunnock) (Prunella modularis) 1 migrating individual calls heard in dawn (6:14) at Alejas, Kekava county (K.Millers). Quite early spring migrant record.

  Falco tinnunculus
13.03.2019.
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) 1 at Darziņi distributary, Salaspils county (I.Gaile). White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) 1 at Republika square, Riga (K.Funts). First spring migrant records for both species.

  
12.03.2019.
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 50 - 60 at Lapmezciems next to Starpinupite river, Engure county (M.Tirums). Large number at one place in spring. Woodlark (Lullula arborea) >40 in compact flock to N in the gap of intense snowfall at Alejas, Kekava county (K.Millers).

  
10.03.2019.
Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) 1 F at Pape lake W shore, Rucava county (V.Jaunzemis, A.Gulbis). Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) 1 at Pape sea shore, Rucava county (V.Jaunzemis, A.Gulbis). 2nd earliest spring migrant records for both species. Stock Dove (Columba oenas) ~70 in one flock with 1 Common Pigeon (Columba livia) and 2 Common Wood Pigeons (Columba palumbus) at Slapme surroundings, Tukums county (I.Brediks). Large number at one place during spring migration.

  
09.03.2019.
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) 2 MM and 1 F, Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) 3 MM and 2 FF; Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) >1300 at Babite lake next to Annas, Babite county (E. & V.Smislovs). First spring migrant records for all the species and large number of Tufted Ducks at one place during spring migration. Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) ~800 in one flock with >6 European Golden Plovers (Pluvialis apricaria) foraging at Pienava fields, Tukums county (K.Millers). Large number of Lapwings at one place during spring migration.

  
08.03.2019.
Spring migrant census from 8:00 till 10:00 Alejas, Kekava county, Central Latvia (K.Millers):
Anser sp. 2012 (120+96+95+349+120+341+4+39+321+721+2+4) to N/NE. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) 42 migrting to E/SE. Large number during spring migration. Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) 1 to E/SE. Common Crane (Grus grus) 5 to SE (2+3). Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) 12 to SE (1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1). Stock Dove (Columba oenas) 6 (3 + 1 + 1 + 1) to N/NE. Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) 13 to S (2+4+6+1). Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis) >500. Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 22 to S (1+1+1+1+2+1+5+2+1+4+2). Woodlark (Lullula arborea) 1 locally, first spring migrant. Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) 1 migrating N. Quite early spring migrant record. Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) 6 (2+2+2) to N.

Other records: Woodlark (Lullula arborea) 1 at Tukums  surroundings, Tukums county (V.Ādamsons). First spring migrant record. Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) 1 migrating E at Ogre (V.Roze). Quite early spring migrant record. Common Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) 1 M at Lielupe river coast next to Priedites, Rundale county (E.Laucis). First spring migrant record.

  Buteo buteo
 Grus grus
06.03.2019.
European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) 3 with Northern Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) and Common Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) at Krievlauki, 6 with Northern Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) at Uzava river floodplain fields, both records Ventspils county (K.Millers). Golden Plovers - first spring migrants. Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) ~300 in one flock at Uzava river floodplain fields, Ventspils county (K.Millers). Quite large number at one place during spring migration.

  Pluvialis apricaria
04.03.2019.
Red Kite (Milvus milvus) 1 migrating W at Kalniski, Nica county (I.Mednis). Earliest spring migrant record! Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) 1 on the wires at Kibji surroundings, Aizpute county (R.Rekmanis). 3rd earliest spring migrant record.

  
03.03.2019.
Steller's Eider (Polysticta stelleri) 1 F at Mangalsala pier, Riga (I.Denisovs). Present since 09.01.2019. (I.Denisovs).

  Polysticta stelleri
02.03.2019.
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) 1 ad F at Nica fields, Nica county (K.Millers, I.Grinerte). Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) ~60 Daibe rubbish dump, Pargauja county (A.Klepers). First spring migrant records for both species.

  
01.03.2019.
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 1 in the flock of ~100 Greylag Geese (Anser anser) and ~40 Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) at Slimnica str. and A9 Riga - Liepaja road intersection, Grobina county (K.Millers, I.Grinerte).