No Sand Martins whizzing about above Sands Lake this afternoon, no Chiffies singing in the buckthorn and no Wheatears on Taggs Island - hardly surprising really given the bitter north westerly breeze.
A dusting of snow was visible on the distant Lakeland fells, I kid you not.
Taggs was very quiet - but the tide was right out I suppose.
A few Meadow Pipits, including one that flew off carrying food - I guess it had just discovered a juicy morsel when I flushed it...two Skylarks singing and a few Linnets.
A single female Stonechat was photogenic as usual.
Lapwings looking shifty and a Grey Heron, and that was about it.
On Sands Lake the Tufties were getting very frisky. Still 35-40 birds here, and the Shovelers were paired off, doing that strange circling dance on the water.
The female Mute Swan was settling down to nesting duties on the island.
Little Grebes yikkering away, but my attention was caught by the Magpies coming down to sneak bread thrown for the wildfowl and rats.
They look superb in the afternoon light - lovely blue wing panels, real characters.
Okay, so they've got a bad rep, but Greater Peckers and cats can be mean critters too....and as for clowns, well don't get me started on those.
Live and let live I say (except for clowns).
A single Grey Wagtail overhead, and a few more Mipits were the only tantalising shreds to suggest spring migration will kick in soon.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Si Glinn wrote...
Mrs G saw the loose Harris Hawk today at 4pm at Crossbank Covert, from the embankment between the pumping station and Baxter's Farm.
Posted by: Si Glinn | March 19, 2008 9:37 PM