I’m sure there were lots of them about today in the calm, bright conditions, but say what you like, your first Wheatears of the year should always put a crease in your jim-jams and a smile on your face.
Mine (not counting winterers in Gambia during January) were feeding quietly in stubble off Engine Lane this afternoon, a male and female.
She was keeping a low profile, but he was bounding about like they do.
Fine birds, if a little distant.
Earlier at Haskayne Cutting, two singing Chiffchaffs, Yellowhammer etc, with Mipits, Buzzards, Peregrine and Kestrel over.
There seems to have been something of an influx of Jays, with a bird dropping in from high up at Dempsey Towers last night, and at least four at the cutting today, including two rooting about at the edges of the ploughed fields.