A short pre-work amble around the landfill yesterday was an absolute delight with surround sound of spring underway. Skylarks were up serenading and sprialling into the misty blue while Meadow Pipits were in the process of parachuting back down. I did catch both species singing from perches too.
There was what I like to call 'Lesvos Light' this morning which gave even me a chance of getting some passerine shots without having to be on top of them.
Skylark
Meadow Pipit - just look at those long hindclaws to assist with walking through tall grass!
Linnets and Goldfinches were prevelant and there was a good deal of display song flight from both species although none of the male Linnets are currently in red bra mode!
I suspect that the top Linnet is a male
The Gorse that they favour for breeding is now bursting into life although it was not warm enough for the coconut scent to be wafting around and it looked great with the dew resting on it in tiny droplets. Quite a few bumbles were around and even a couple of keen Small Tortoiseshells.
I bumped into the Corn Bunting again on the river side of the landfill path but other than a couple of Chiffchaffs there were no signs of any other spring migrants.
It is still early and I can sense another Wheatear before too long...
17-3-17
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer