21st March - sunny periods, 9C, but NW wind 12mph feeling cool.

On a trip to Frolesworth this morning I spotted a couple of female Kestrels sitting at different locations on road side wires.  Good to see they survived the recent cold and snow.

Stanford reservoir; a look at Stanford reservoir after lunch hoping for an early migrant.  An Oystercatcher was on the dam and a Green Woodpecker called nearby.  The usual wildfowl were on the water, I counted 14 Goldeneye, a Grey Heron was at the waters edge.  4 Bullfinch were seen, 2 pairs, one male was singing at one location.  Goldcrest -2 were with Long-tailed Tits in the boundary hedge.  A single Jay and Fieldfare were near the point hide.  Plenty of tree Sparrows at the feed station and 5 Stock Doves.

In all 43 species were seen but no earlier migrants.

20th March - cloudy, a few sunny intervals, short shower late afternoon, 6C, light Northerly

Willey; a busy day.  A small mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare noted this morning.

19th March - frost last nigh -2C. brisk NE wind, feeling like -4C, sunny intervals 5C

Shawell lagoons; I had a quick look at the sand quarry next to the landfill where gulls rest, however the wind was very fierce here and few Gulls were hanging around so I moved to the lagoons.
Quite a few Gulls were here, but nothing out of the ordinary. On the north lagoon 2 Great-crested Grebes appeared to be building a nest in the reeds.  If they do it will be the first record here, more seriously for them is that the water may recede as Spring progresses, so I'm not sure if they will be left high and dry - we shall see.  A Little Grebe was on the south lagoon.  c220 Wigeon were present, a bit flighty as 2 red Kite circled over, but they only flew from one lagoon to the other. Tufted Duck, Mallard, 18 Teal and 13 Canada geese were also present.

On the way back c60 Fieldfare flew over, eastward, near the 'Moorbarns' on the A5.

18th March - winter still biting, snow last night, cold keen easterly, cloudy, -1C, feeling much colder like -7C

Willey; the feed station was busier again today, with at least 10 magpies and 2 Pheasants, plus the usual Tits, Finches and Yellowhammers.  The Nuthatch visited, likely confused as only a couple of days ago the male was singing in sunshine.  A small  flock of Fieldfare, ~25, and a little later Redwing, ~15, flew in to the trees of the old railway track.

Stanford reservoir; the reservoir was not frozen, but the ground had snow cover and mostly frozen, apart from water birds very little else was about.

 Wigeon ~150, Gadwall ~80, plus Pochard and Tufted were the most numerous,  7 Teal, 6 Goldeneye, 5 Great-crested Grebe, 5 and 10 Canada and Greylag geese flew in.  A male Kestrel flew passed and a green Woodpecker was calling.

Last weeks warm spell encouraged signs of Spring, like these Thorn flowers, now suffering the cold.

17th March - cold east wind, cloudy and light snow, 1C

Winter returned during the night.

Today a very cold feeling day with strong wind at times, 20mph+, giving a wind chill about -8C.  Light short snow showers not settling.  

16th March - sunny periods, mild12C, light SE.

Willey; a lovely day, a few bees and other insects seen, Incredible that winter returns tonight.

While atttending to a lambing at 1840h a Barn Owl flew passed, from the church yard area round our paddock, which was a nice sight to see.

15th March - sunny intervals, light ESE, 12C

Willey; pleasantly mild for most of the day, resident birds busy sorting out territories and partners.  A mixed flock ~30 Redwing and Fieldfare moved over SW.

A very cold weekend, possibly with snow, is forecast, with easterly weather again!!