Above the trees

It wasn’t fun sitting in the office on Thursday and Friday last week. The first warm, spring-like days of the year – the best days of the year – were upon us and whether it was news of the first hirundines in the west of Britain or friends having butterflies on the wing locally, it was a painful grip-fest. However, as is rarely the case, the weekend managed to deliver weather-wise and indeed Sunday was probably the most enjoyable patch session I’ve had since September.

A view from Broomy Down, 17/2/2019.

Saturday, unfortunately, was a foggy write-off and the day was very quiet, aside from three Pochard on Mill Pond and a flyover Hawfinch at Gatestreet Farm. After the 2017/18 influx, the latter species occurred slightly more than normal last autumn. So, if the pattern continues on this minor scale then I expect one or two more during March.

In contrast, Sunday was gloriously sunny, though a fairly hefty southwest breeze meant it wasn’t as warm as midweek, and woodpecker action as minimal. I took up position on Broomy Down at 9.30 and was perfectly content for a few hours. It wasn’t heaving with action, but by midday the local raptors were up above the trees en masse and I managed six species, with wonderful views of each. Two Peregrines were notable not just as a year tick for myself, but also as the first time more than one individual has been recorded here. To top it off, a Red Admiral flew by – my first butterfly of the year. It definitely felt like spring.

Pheasant, Broomy Down, 17/2/2019.

Peregrine, Junction Field, 17/2/2019.

A quick recce of Winkworth yesterday morning was decidedly gloomier, though a Brambling flew over, three Marsh Tits were singing and a couple of Chiffchaffs were notable. At Unstead on Sunday a further nod to spring came courtesy of my first singing chiff of the year. The Green Sandpiper was also in situ on the Dry Lagoon. The forecast for this week suggests more of the same and indeed Saturday looks – at the moment at least – really nice. Fingers crossed.