The First 'Ping' Of Spring!

There is not much new to report this week with most of the highlights being the same as last week. It turns out that the last sighting of the Barnacle Goose was the date of my last blog so a good departure date for a genuine wild bird, as suspected. Otherwise the first winter male and the adult male Scaup, along with the hybrid female, were still present, as was the Black-necked Grebe, female Marsh Harrier, two Curlews and a few Mediterranean Gulls. In addition to the Scaup a nice selection of ducks could be seen in varying numbers, namely Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Red-breasted Merganser. There was less diversity among the waders though... as is usual at this time of year the Lapwing flock was fast diminishing and only a few Redshank and Snipe joined the aforementioned Curlews. In the reed beds one or two Cetti's Warblers were calling and a few Chiffchaffs singing, while new in... at least one Bearded Tit was pinging.

The first winter and adult male (Greater) Scaups.