It was a red letter day at home yesterday, when I opened the window, thinking there might be a migrant or two about, only to hear a Cetti’s Warbler singing at the end of the garden. A new bird for the house list, which briefly showed itself. They breed in the reedbed near us, so it’s not too much of a surprise, but to actually see it rather than hear a distant song is.
Today we had a look at the reedbed and the brooks next to us, with the highlights being a couple of Water Rails that eventually showed themselves and a much hoped-for Woodcock: my hundredth bird for my on-foot year list.
Of course they didn’t hang around to be photographed, but some insects showed that spring is coming.
Only a Mallard, but it’s three years since we had one at home, so a welcome return
Small Tortoiseshell
Bee Fly