Winter 3 - Spring 4

A wet, murky start in the LDV this morning. Wheldrake Ings revealed 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Blackcap and a solitary Sand Martin heralding the spring, whilst 80 Fieldfares and a selection of ducks maintained the wintry feel. Thanks to last week's snow, the Derwent was up, with more water on the Ings. Had a look at Thorganby which was still pretty dry, but some water down towards Aughton held 20 Whooper Swans, overflown by my first Swallow of the year. At North Duffield two leftover Short-eared Owls performed well but a brief Merlin less so. So the battle between the end of the winter and the start of spring proper has almost been won.