Warblers Arriving

 Chiffchaffs have been here for a while so it's time Willow Warblers made an appearance locally. They are present at Tophill Low and other places close by but we haven't come across one yet.

Blackcaps were found in Wassand Wood yesterday and today, two birds on each day located by song. My previous earliest record was 30 March.

Blackcap with twig in the way as usual

Bees and hoverflies are growing in number and the most common hoverfly at the moment is everywhere.

Tapered Drone Fly

I came across this plant in Wassand and wondered what it was so I looked it up. It certainly isn't native to these shores so I don't know how it got here. American Skunk-cabbage (Lysichiton americanus) is an invasive species and causes problems with drainage systems along waterways apparently - we need to get rid of it so I'll speak to someone at Wassand.

Invasive species - American Skunk-cabbage

The Marsh Harriers have started displaying and nest building at the Mere with up to four birds seen around the reed beds. Images to follow in due course.

The paths and tracks are drying up nicely now and wellies are a thing of the past (for now!).

It hasn't been this dry since last autumn!

Welly-free zone

Roe deer are becoming more active by the day and I see several most days now. These four were keeping their eyes on me this morning.

Roe deer at Weatherhill

The set aside is greening up and showing colour now with the brassicas flowering. They will be ploughed in later when this year's wild flower mix is sown (hopefully).

Set aside brassicas in flower

A drake Common Scoter appeared on the Mere on Wednesday but stayed distant. A few heavily cropped pics are shown here purely for the record.

Drake Common Scoter on the Mere

Yellowhammers have been few and far between with just two singing around the Mere in the past week. This one was photographed south of Southorpe so not in the Mere recording area.

Male Yellowhammer

I would like to do at least a couple of posts each week but it does depend on whether there is enough wildlife around to make it interesting. With spring well and truly up and running I am positive that this will be the case.