Spring Arrives-Official!

Although there was a forecast of a weekend of heavy rain, this morning arose bright and sunny if not a tad breezy, but was good enough to replenish the low levels of Vitamin D! A brief scan from the garden saw the Golden Plover still in residence, though with numbers dropping off, and a Chiffchaff singing from the meadow opposite was a welcome sound. My now regular weekend visit to Felbrigg lake saw that much was still in order bird wise, with a couple of expected though welcome sights.
Tufted Duck 13
Mallard 6
Shoveler 4
Teal 2
Coot 7
Mandarin c5
Grey Heron 2
Buzzard 3

Over the lake a lone Sand Martin wheeled around constantly. Constant scanning of the horizon to the south paid off with the first Marsh Harrier of the season seen achingly distant before struggling for twenty minutes passing directly overhead. True to form as always for a first for the season it was a male.

Garden Spider with lunch


Jew's Ear fungi in the garden


Male Shoveler


Common Buzzard


Common Buzzard with Carrion Crows (one of which is doing an impression of a Raven!)


Different Buzzard


Marsh Harrier




Moorhen


Coot