My walk at Stanwick Lakes today tells me that it's early spring. And of course there was a spring in my step as I looked up the Nene Valley to Nene Park, scene of the mighty Rushden's 5-1 victory over Bath City on Tuesday and, no doubt, another massive victory over Hayes and Yeading this afternoon. Where is Hayes, or Yeading, anyway? I guess they had to look Rushden up on a map to be fair.
But back to the birds - 56 species in a two hour stroll. I had been wondering whether there would be a singing chiffchaff, early sand martin or garganey, but there wasn't. But it clearly is spring.
For a start, there were song thrushes singing everywhere all of a sudden. The long-tailed tits were sneeking around in pairs rather than chattering around in groups. A pair of shelduck had arrived. And, most obvious of all, the oystercatchers are back, just as I've told you they should be.
Has spring arrived with you yet? Any signs of it?
A love of the natural world demonstrates that a person is a cultured inhabitant of planet Earth.
Bull of the Bog - I'm sorry that I see that I didn't reply to your first comment on this blog about a month ago - about forests - it was a good comment. So, belated welcome to the RSPB community and this blog. And I agree that February spring is unreliable spring. Of course, we could have some more winter before we see any warblers or swallows.