Birdwatch's team blog

"Boing"...said Spring as it sprung...

23rd March

Despite a very cool south-east wind which made it feel more like February, my spring list took shape this morning with my first Swallow and Little Ringed Plover, and at last my first Seaforth Wheatears, a male and a female. Suppose I should make that Northern Wheatears so that somebody doesn't have to make it politically correct...sorry Beccie! Also yesterday's Feral Pigeon should have been Feral Rock Dove...a name change too far anyone?

Also at the local patch today was a Black Redstart that we all thought was female until it started singing to prove it wasn't; but it was a very dull first year male. Still plenty of Goldeneye dotted around the pool, but the Scaup pair seem to have gone, while a large flock of Black-tailed Godwits included a few in gorgeous breeding plumage.

If the weather forecast is to be believed (!) the next few days look pretty wet so no more blogs until the sun shines again as I'm just a fair weather photographer these days. However, if an Alpine Swift decides on a local visit...

Steve Young
Photographic Consultant

Posted by Birdwatch