Avocet!

A rude awakening by a Bashford this morning. He was doing his early morning WeBS round at Great Barford lake and found an Avocet, the first of the year. I drove over there and saw it from the road just before 8. No camera, so popped back to the car to get it and move in to a better position. When I got back, it had gone. Never mind. Gave RIB a call, who was now at Roxton, just up the valley, and let him know it had flown the coup. A few mins later he called back - he'd got it again at Roxton! He's got the nickname Goldenballs - wonder why? You can find two shots of it here.

Another beautiful early spring morning, with jangling Corn Buntings and tumbling Lapwings. What a wonderful time of year.

At lunchtime I had a zoom round Broom. A Dunlin was the highlight, along with three Shelducks. There are now plenty of Black-headed Gulls all over 'cocks Island again after the winter lull.

After work it was Meadow Lanes turn. A Little Ringed Plover (my first this year) proved to be the only real interest, along with 2 Oycs, 5 Redshank, 5 Snipe, a Green Sand, and a Common Sand. On my way back to the car two Little Egrets flew over to roost at Priory CP.