Spring

I saw my first proper migrants of the Spring today, with 2 Drake Garganey a real surprise when I arrived at Ham Wall. These smart looking ducks usually arrive at the very end of March at the earliest, and without going back over my records, I think this is the earliest i've seen the species in the UK. More predictable were 2 Sand Martins over Canada Lake, always the first of the hirundines to arrive in numbers.

One of the Garganey

A few Bitterns were booming, but at this time of year you really have to be out at (or before!) dawn to hear them in full swing, maybe tomorrow morning....

Bittern over the new 'Tor View' hide at Ham Wall

Grey Herons are well into their breeding season with several nests in the reeds at Ham Wall and the usual one in the middle of Noah's Lake, Shapwick. This young bird was fleeing from a rather aggressive adult!

Grey Heron

A small flock of Redpoll and Siskin were wringing the very last seeds out of the Alders at Canada Farm.

And finally, Kingfishers were bombing about all over the place, many in what looked like territorial disputes. I wasn't quite fast enough to get a sharp shot of this one as it whizzed past. must try harder next time!