The signs of spring are clear- the rain is warmer than before....
Sorry, well- worn SCottish joke about the weather.
But, the sgns of spring are all around- both in what we're seeing and what we're no longer seeing. Got my first sand martins and swallows today, at my favourite RSPB reserve. Also got a common sandpiper, a good bird, but the swallow and sand martin are more clearly a sign of the changing season. Got wonderful views of a singing chiffchaff as well, which added to the screech of the sand martins, really epitomises spring and summer at this reserve.
The tick count for the day was unimportant (although i got 36...) The rain dripping down my neck was also unimportant. What was important was that we have gotten through the worst of the winter, our migrant friends have come back, and the promise of a long, hot birding summer fills me with hope.
Sorry, well- worn SCottish joke about the weather.
But, the sgns of spring are all around- both in what we're seeing and what we're no longer seeing. Got my first sand martins and swallows today, at my favourite RSPB reserve. Also got a common sandpiper, a good bird, but the swallow and sand martin are more clearly a sign of the changing season. Got wonderful views of a singing chiffchaff as well, which added to the screech of the sand martins, really epitomises spring and summer at this reserve.
The tick count for the day was unimportant (although i got 36...) The rain dripping down my neck was also unimportant. What was important was that we have gotten through the worst of the winter, our migrant friends have come back, and the promise of a long, hot birding summer fills me with hope.
