The first Blackcap(77) appeared on the 5th April, thirteen days later than last year! On the 7th it was joined by a second plus one in our garden.A single Fieldfare and a Redwing were down at the lake. An early evening walk on the same day produced the second Willow Warbler of the spring and the first two Swallows(78) over the lake.
The next day there were three Swallows and I was surprised to see three House Martins(79) over the village.Down at the lake a pair of Shovelers(80) landed on the lake,briefly, before flying off to the south.
On the ninth a Fieldfare(probably the last of the spring) was present.
On the 13th a Red Kite(81) flew over the lake and drifted towards the village.
It was great to have some warm sunshine yesterday so I walked down to the lake for butterflies and wasn't disappointed when I saw the first two Orange Tips and three Peacocks plus a couple of Common Lizards.

                                                Orange Tip feeding on Cuckoo Flower

Basking Peacock