21st April 2012

Weather :- cloudy with sunny spells, but 3 hours later - hail.

Woods :- The usual suspects around, blue/great tits, woodpigeons, wrens, etc. Bullfinches and greater spotted woodpecker heard. 2 chiffchaffs singing away. With added sighting of a male and female blackcap.

Reservoir :- quite again, but sailing club was out today. Mallard, coots and that was it.

Canal :- mallards, coots, moorhens. Chiffchaff heard, and then really good views of one in the reedbeds. Male and female chaffinches seen and greenfinch heard.

Netherton hill :- 2 buzzards, another 2 chiffchaff singing, male swallow and 2 linnets.

Lots of insects around including :- first orange tip, speckled wood and green-veined butterflies of the year, red-tailed and common carder bees.

Mammels :- grey squirrels and a brown rat.

Flowers :- Ramson, yellow archangel, garlic mustard, wood anemone and bluebells.