A bit of warmth is great isn't it

The Safari has enjoyed another sunshine filled day today, well we would have done even more if we'd been able to get out and about a little more. We didn't get a look at the flat calm sea early doors but did have a little run out at lunchtime to the waste depot. Driving round the corner we saw there were a lot of gulls on the roof today but up at the top and out of sight from the only car parking spot.

Most were Lesser Black Backed Gulls as is expected at this time of year, most of the Herring Gulls and Black Headed Gulls that frequented the piles of rubbish only a couple or three weeks ago are now in their breeding colonies/areas, whereas the Lesser Black Backed Gulls are still moving through.

The gulls didn't move around much at all, we could have done with a Buzzard flying over to mix them up a bit and prove to us the Iceland Gull was definitely not present. 

Back at work we watched a male Blackbird collect a beakful of worms for his nestlings not far away - spring is definitely springing now!

After work we picked up Monty and as we puled up at his work we heard our first Chiffchaff (117) of the year and it wasn't long before we heard our second and then third. This is the joint latest date we've had them since 2010. In only one of those years did we find a wintering bird. They've been coming through for about two weeks so it shows you how little we've been able to get out recently.

A bit of walking around the wildflower area at the top of the mound revealed three Bee Orchid rosettes close together but we couldn't find any anywhere else.

At the very end of our walk there was a piece of roadworks detritus that had found its way to on to the grassland. Always worth a lift at this time of year it was - there was a Toad lurking beneath. Another 'first' for us this year.

The was a good sound-scape too with Wrens, Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrushes and Great Tits all singing for all their worth.

A very productive hour out in the very pleasantly warm sunshine.

Where to next? Tomorrow sees our annual safari to Lesser Spotted Woodpecker-land - but will we see any? They are really struggling now and we're not sure if we heard somewhere that they could well be extinct in Britain before 2030, we certainly hope not.

In the meantime let us know who's sprouting in the spring sunshine in your outback.