Ace ... no Jack!

Flowers now open on

Common Whitlow Grass

(Erophila verna)

A tiny plant easily overlooked.

Hairy Bitter-cress

(Cardamine hirsuta)

Another small plant, looks good through a hand lens (yet another thing to keep in my pocket).

Wren

The Pacific Diver had a wee trip to DBCP. Great for photos, but it kept its distance especially when the light was good.

Some grubby plants around DBCP.

Marsh Marigold

(Caltha palustris)

Ugly Duck

(MF suggested Tufted x Scaup hybrid.)

Lesser Celandine

(Ficaria verna)

Not the best flower condition.

Grabbed a few more shots of these but it was so windy I didn't expect to find a decent result. Pleasantly surprised by the results.

Colt's-foot

(Tussilago farfara)

Lots of these in flower.All these showy yellow flowers proving a most welcome food source for emerging insects and therefore all the early migrant birds.

Today proved to be a special day. House Martin and three Sand Martins, 6 Avocets, 2 Ringed Plovers (checked closely as LRP reported at Saltholme yesterday). Whoopers on the move again. 4 Barnacle Geese and all the usual patch suspects ... can't get any better.

Oh Yes it Can!

I found this stunning Jack Snipe. I quickly took five snaps and moved away. It didn't flinch.