0758....Chiffchaff heard....0800...Chiffchaff seen singing....

Spring.......................Chiffchaff

0840.......Blackcap heard.......0846....Blackcap seen singing.....

Spring...............

Is it just me, im sure it is not, but its really nice to get that first warbler ticked off for the year following the anticipation knowing they are coming....relief and joy....the marvel of migration....and still listening to Fielfares...the crossover period...Winter-Summer.....

0600 - 0900 Cool, warming later, some mist clearing, little breeze, clear sky

I was up, and somewhat disappointed, at 5.30, to empty the moth trap (see Garden Blog) but it was quite gloomy.  Anyway, this was duly done and I headed to site, still kind of gloomy at 6am.  However, the Song Thrushes and Blackbirds in the neighbourhood thought differently, which was rather fabulous.  They seemed to be battling it out between themselves with little else initially joining in.  A Dunnock had a go and briefly a Robin.  The usual Crow cawed but didnt seem bothered.
Over the bridge and House Sparrows were chip-chipping madly.  3 Jackdaws flew after their Corvid cousin SW.
1 Canada Goose flew SE and was followed by 2 more shortly after.  There were plenty of Green Woodpeckers to choose from all yaffling.  2 Chaffinches duelled with calls and a Collared Dove finally gave way to cooing.
3 Fieldfare flew out of the orchard though I could hear more and soon a flock of around 40 or so went over, still leaving more.  On my way back I found a good number mingling with Starlings.
A Wren alarmed itself, perhaps the Kestrel nearby.
A Cormorant flew over SE.
Across the fields the Skylark were in tremendous song action though a better treat was in store on my return journey with lots of low flying and singing and at least 7 or 8 within a short distance of each other.  Please, Mr Farmer, give them a chance this year!
2 Blue Tit were around and 2 Mallard flew from the ditch.  Plenty of Woodpigeons flew by and around all morning.
Several Great Spotted Woodpeckers were busy rattling out territory.  In the field West of the pits 10 Greylag Goose eyed my passing.  Further West 6 Mute Swan.
At the pits I heard  Yellowhammer and Great Tit.  2 Magpies looked on, waiting their chance.
14 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 57 Tufted Duck, 10+ Great Crested Grebe (plenty of head shaking display), 15 Mute Swan,  2 Gadwall, 2 Grey Heron.
Walking along the pits I found 4 singing Reed Bunting, a Starling in the usual Starling Oak, some Long Tail Tits and a few Goldfinch were hanging around.

Sun does rise...early in the morning...

2 Mandarin Ducks, 1m 1f, were continually flying around not knowing where to land.
I decided to turn back and it was this decision that lead to the birds of the day....firstly I caught up with 2 Bullfinch (1m 1f).  I exited the pits at the usual gate and then I heard, at last, Chiffchaff.  I immediately returned and within a minute or so had located it high in a tree.  Fabulous.  Wasnt necessarily expecting it this week...a bonus!
I left the pits again and idled briefly looking across to the remaining Greylags Westward....a head poked up, then another...a quick scope provided 2 then 4 Egyptian Geese.  Excellent.
On my way back across the field near the orchard I gathered a lonely Meadow Pipit.
Back at the bridge I heard a brief flutey call....and again...and longer this time.....Blackcap!...a few minutes and there it was in some bramble scrub.  Brilliant.
Home then....very pleasing...pleased....chuffed!