Although we still have not seen a Sand Martin, Wheatear or Little Ringed Plover yet, there are further signs of spring starting to give winter a run for its money.
I am pretty sure that there are various Lapwings now on nests and the volume of Lapwing and Redshank song is a joy to behold. The Jack Snipe reappeared yesterday and spent an hour bobbing like some wondrously stripy lemon fully in the open. It was not very tolerant of the Redshanks and Annie saw it bob-running towards one with the white of its underwings showing... the Reshank backed off. Today he has a friend :O)
Jack Snipe - John Ferguson
I also discovered another disadvantage to all that bobbing as it tried to scratch mid-bob and promptly fell over...
I counted 31 Common Snipe around the edges and there were still 43 Golden Plover and a couple of Dunlin on the scrape.
Common Snipe - Helen Ashenden
At least two very scruffy Water Pipits are still here as well as three much neater Scandinavian Rock Pipits (beginning to think that it may be an aid to id this time of year) and most intriguingly a beautifully peachy fronted rather grey Meadow Pipit that had the pulses racing for a short while.
Water Pipit - Alasdair Wilcock
'Buff Bellied' Meadow Pipit - Barry Jackson
A walk along the river wall this morning showed the continued presence of our single male Corn Bunting although with a rather pathetic attempt at his song that made him sound like a distant Flymo! Still good to have one visible from the centre though! At least six presumeably migrant Chiffchaffs were laso foraging along the bank.
Corn Bunting - Andy Tweed
Marsh Harriers have been very active and the Kestrels are still showing very well.
Kestrel - Mark Jones
There are now some insects at last with several bumblebees along the river wall in sheltered spots along with the first re-emerging Ladybirds, Spiders and bugs...
mmm... wont let me post pics any more so will try and add some later!