19th March - cloudy, dull, cool light NE, 7C

First some of the lambs that we have now in the fields, and the ones the Fox was looking at the other day.  This morning, although not sunny, some 80 in a group were running and skipping, they must know the Spring equinox is here.

This morning first thing Redwings were chattering away again and later feeding on pastures, although Fieldfare seem absent at the moment.

Mid-morning a Cormorant flew past the village to the east and at least 10 Goldfinch were around again.  Two were sitting in the church Horse Chestnut and one singing, a favorite tree for them to nest in.

This afternoon it was back to Shawell lagoons for another look for the Iceland gull.  This time I was not disappointed, on arrival it was quickly spotted on the water by the middle bank which it often walked up and then preened.  Some record photos were made of this juvenile Iceland Gull. These breed in Greenland and North Canada (not Iceland), so it has made a considerable journey to be in the Midlands.

Also present today was a single Pied and Grey Wagtail, a Snipe, 3 Little Grebe and the Shelduck pair.

Spring migrants are returning now, soon Little-ringed Plover and Sand Martin should be present, some have already been seen in a few places in the country.