A visitor has reported seeing an oystercatcher at the northern lakes. This breeds here and so this arrival is seen, by some, as a forerunner of spring or at least a warm spell.
Geoff Williams has noted that the arrival date is getting earlier:
2013 - 7Jan,
2012 - 11Jan,
2011 - 12Feb,
2010 - 19Feb,
2009 - 21 Feb. (Thanks Geoff for your details).
Also, there have been 5 or more grey herons seen in the heronry. We have heard squawking and croaking. Not sure if this is a courtship ritual or just discussions about whose nest is occupied.
It's tough being a heron, because when you arrive, there's bound to be someone else in your birth nest, 1 or 2 years ago :-))