Carlton Marsh.

Windy but warm from the west south west.

As we set out it was very apparent that spring was in the air with GOLD and CHAFFINCH about and singing well. Plenty of Corvids about and a gulls seeking the wind. The best birds came early on the walk with a pair of BLACK REDSTART through gates and in a marsh area feeding in short dried grasses. They were mixing it up with MEADOW PIPIT. A single REDSHANK was on the scrape with a PIED WAG, TEAL, WIGEON, MALLARD and a LITTLE EGRET. A KESTREL put on an ariel display when it decided to make a quick fall to ground. Put up every small bird in the area. REED BUNTING on far track walk back as well as a few LAPWING with the inevitable haunting peewit call. We also put to flight two MUNKJACK and at Spratt's Water  about four WILLOW WARBLERS where calling. This now brings my total twitch for the year to 130. Far better than last years 56 at this time. In the words of the proverbial "What a difference a day makes" CITTE'S both seen and heard, what little darlings these birds are but what a pain to view. Mind you who can mistake the call of "That's the way to do it". A pair of BARNACLE GEESE to finish of with and flushing a single SNIPE.