The first Blackcap(72) was singing intermittently behind the pumping station on the 23rd March, the earliest date on the patch since I started watching.

There was also a Little Grebe(73) on the lake on the same day

My good fortune continued on the afternoon of Sunday 24th with at least a couple of Bramblings(74) in the orchard with Chaffinches.

This afternoon,as we were in the kitchen a Red Kite(75) appeared over the garden before drifting off to the east.

It was a foggy start to the day on 23rd February but was brightened up by a pair of Lesser Spotted Wodpeckers(69) and singing Chiffchaff.

Foggy Lesser spot

The following day a flyover Lesser Black-backed Gull(70) was added to the year list.Mandarins have been more regular on the lake  and on the 26th Feb a drake Tufted Duck(71) was resting on the lake. Amazingly, I didn't record one at all in 2108!

Three singing Chiffchaffs were on the patch on 9th March and 5 Canada/Greylag hybrids were on the lake with a pair of Canadas.

Canada/greylag hybrids

It shouldn't be too long before the first spring migrants arrive as I think the Chiffchaffs that are on the patch are probably over-wintering birds.

Singing Chiffchaff.

The Grey Wagtails have become a permanent fixture and one posed nicely this morning as I walked up the fram track.