My first mallard ducklings of the year - a brood of 2 in front of the Gullery hide, lovely to see and made the early morning even more special.
Although possibly the highlight of my survey this morning they were by no means the only excitement, a flock of about 40 greylag geese circling the reserve had a barnacle goose in with them, and a flock of 26 Golden Plover were feeding in a ploughed field on the north shore. A singing siskin, two pairs of goldfinch and goldcrest all put a smile on my face too, and the sight of robins with food just made me walk on that little bit quicker!
What a great time of year to be out and about!