Early spring

A couple of hours in the LDV this morning was tough going but enjoyable. North Duffield Carrs was wildfowl free bizarrely, but still held 39 Curlew and five Oystercatchers. 22 Shelduck flew in just before I flew out. No sign of any Smew at Aughton and diving duck numbers were down.

Ellerton was quiet and the refuge at Wheldrake held 132 Coot and the Drake Scaup. A Peregrine was hunting over the Ings and flushed 23 Black-tailed Godwits and 24 Curlew. I headed round to the Low Grounds, pausing briefly at Hagg Bridge to check out a Little Egret. The pair of Avocets were still loafing in the middle of the flood, a fine find by Adam Firth earlier.

The Pine Bunting didn't show for me at Dunnington although two Bramblings were nice. The bunt showed up later.