a first and a first and a first...

Lesser Redpoll is a first for me and a first for my local patch, two turned up before being spooked by a dog walker and all I could manage is a very poor record shot – included so you know I haven't completely lost the plot.

The first frog spawn was about a week ago, I didn't make a note of the date and the first blossom has been out for about the same time.

The first butterfly of the year flew by above eye level with positive intent and then had the audacity to fly back again. All I could see was 'small and orange' and at first I though it was a skipper but dispelled that idea. I haven't given too much though for an id. Too small for a comma which is often the first I see hereabouts.

The first singing chiffchaff is about apparently but I personally haven't heard it and that blazing flash of blue gave away a departing Kingfisher.

The male and female grey wagtail have been clocked, as last year but only once after about 8 recce's. Too many dog walkers and a bit too cold to date I fear.

There is a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming away at times and I think I know the dead trees, but not seen him or her yet (although I had junior regularly in the garden a few years back).

The bullfinch have become harder to find and only fleeting views, although I had a female today out of the thick hedgerow and up on the top branch of a tree, clear blue sky and bright sunshine... then another dog walker! 

I have been taking some time to record the garden birds so here are some more!

my first Lesser Redpoll

feeding on willow buds – only problem is there are three miles of them hereabouts!

two Goosander from earlier during that 'grey' period

the first buds of spring – played havoc with my allergies!

there's some drumming going on

I have been concentrating on trying to photograph Coal Tits just lately

one of the Dunnock's; the female up to no good as usual

I have been trying to catch up with this female blackbird – so thrush-like

the distinctive white throat attracted me to this individual

one of three robins hereabouts

a lot of wing flapping going on

and the local Long-tailed Tits have been obliging (at times)

oh, and another first; two mallards mating...

nothing unusual about that and not the first time I have seen two mallards mating, but the first time I have sen two male mallards mating!

Dan de lion and Goldfinch

Another early visit in poor light.

A male Chaffinch, a pair of Blue tits, two or three Goldfinch, a Whitethroat, a pair of Linnet, a pair of Gadwall, a pair of Shelduck, 27 odd Herring Gulls of various ages, Coot and Moorhen, a Mute Swan on a nest and a Mallard with 11 young. They looked they had only just hatched and she was walking them across the field to the water, so the nest must have been well hidden, and just in time with those marauding gulls about.

One or two Goldfinches were feeding on dandelions in the roadside verge, see photos. You can see the yellow nectar on the crown of the bird. The bright yellow on Goldfinch has always been a wonder, yet when feeding on the ground on dandelion, the perfect camouflage.

Later that day, over at St Annes a Dunnock popped up as I was parking the car at the tax office! The Whitethroat pic is only so you know, I know what one looks like and it was still about on the way home later in the afternoon!

Hghi in the sky, I thought there was a Swift but on closer(!) inspection it wasn't a Swift. A couple of brief snaps at considerable distance, and not big enough for a Peregrine I am leaning towards a probable Hobby. What do you think? (see below)