3rd April - Sunny, light-mod easterly, 18C

Willey;

A Red Kite over 0930h, and a Blackcap heard singing a little on the old railway track.  A Goldfinch pair around the church area, maybe they will nest in the Horse Chestnut this year as previously.

A Swallow flew in, c1030h, and hung around the old stable area, later three were seen flying around.  First of the year returning birds for home.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Two each Redshanks and Snipe feeding.  A Little Egret, several each of Teal and Shoveler and a single Gadwall. 

2nd April - mod-brisk NW-Easterly, Sunny, 16C, but cool feeling in the wind

Stanford reservoir, afternoon.

A look here, hoping that some of the Little Gulls reported in the Midlands would show, but alas no.

A couple of Goldeneye on the main water, and a pair Teal.  A Red Kite over.  A single Little Egret.

Butterflies were 3 Peacocks and a Green-veined White (my fist for the year record).

1st April - Touch ground frost last night. Becoming sunny, mod, occasionally brisk easterly, 16C. Feeling cool in the wind, but very warm in sheltered areas.

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

A look at the field flood pools area.

Six Shovelers, 26 Teal, a few Gadwall and mallard. Two Little Grebes. A Little Egret.

First Little Ringed Plover passing through.

Goldfinches singing in the corner spinney.

Butterflies were two Peacocks and a Small Tortoiseshell.

31st - ground frost last night. Sunny, light S/SW, 16C

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

Had a short look around Keepers Bay up to the main reed bed.  Toads were calling at the reed bed.

Five Goldeneye, three Shovelers, Gadwall.

Red Kite, Grey Heron. Great White Egret.

Chiffchaffs in good numbers and Blackcap singing now.

A Brimstone and Peacock butterfly seen.

30th March - mostly sunny, mod - fresh NW, 13C. Cool in the wind, but warmer inn sheltered spots

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; morning

Eight Gadwall, 18 Teal, one Shoveler, only two Red Kites, a few Ravens, Green Woodpecker.

Black-headed and Common Gulls c15 each, larger Gulls pretty much absent.

Brandon Marsh; afternoon.

Cetti's Warbler and Green Woodpecker heard.

On the East Marsh 69 Shovelers, Teal, Gadwall, a Shelduck, 6 Lapwing (territories?), two Cormorants, Red Kite over, plus the other expected birds.

A Wren was collecting moss off a tree trunk for a nest.

Three Comma Butterflies and six Peacocks.  An unidentified shot past, possibly a Speckled Wood.

Plenty of Primroses flowering on the bank.

29th March - Frost -1C last night. Sunny with cloudy increasing, Mod-fresh SW, 12C but feeling cooler

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

No Wigeon seen at the flood pools today.

One Little Egret, 17 Shoveler, Gadwall and Teal, three Little Grebes.

Red Kite over and Green Woodpecker present.

Otherwise pretty quiet.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

Two each Wigeon, Pochard and Teal.  Nine Goldeneye.

Male Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tits, Treecreeper, a Grey Wagtail.

28th March - early liught rain, giving ay to sunny spells, mod NW becoming fresh, 13C

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Plenty of Chiffchaffs around singing now.

Highlights were - seven Goldeneye, c 30 Fieldfares, a Great White Egret, two Oystercatchers, and 15 Sand Martins through SW.

Some Blackthorn is now in full flower.