The sun came out

                                                                                                                                                                                    

The sun really brings out the colours on this drake Mallard

It was very Springlike at Willen  today.
I was hoping I might bump into a few migrants but as yet it seems nothing is happening on that front.
There was one turnup for the books however, a Tree Sparrow amongst a small group of Reed Buntings was the first I have ever seen at this site.
 A Water Rail scurried around in the inlet stream and a Little Egret was on the island..A group of Long-tailed Tits around the hide contained at least 3 Goldcrests and the ducks on North Lake included Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted and a single Goldeneye.
 Birds on the Spit consisted of Lapwings, Herons and Cormorants. Great-crested Grebes were numerous, including some in courtship mode.

courting Grebes

 Highlights of the South Lake were 9 more Goldeneye and a Kingfisher that flew the entire length of the lake.
 Again ducks included Tufted Pochard, Gadwall, Wigeon and Mallard. Lots of Mute Swans were present as well as Canada and Greylag Geese. Lots of Great-crested Grebes here too.

Canada Goose

There were a few birds hanging around near the Pub, presumably waiting for any food that might be on offer including a confiding Collared Dove and this juvenile Lesser-black backed Gull.



Lesser-black backed Gull

Spring flowers including Primroses and Violets were very much in evidence and my first Butterfly of the year, a very smart Brimstone was seen.

Violets

Primroses