Seasons collide

IT was bitter out today, as spring struggled to get a hold.  I saw a large flock of fieldfares and redwings bunny hopping from field to field, joined by chattering starlings.  However the native birds were singing and I heard my first chiff-chaffs too.  My hunt for wheatears was unsuccessful, but there was delight in a large flock of sand martins over the Somerset Levels reedbeds.  Other highlights were the squealing water rails, the coughing bitterns and the complaining little grebes.  I did not spend long out - but it was worth the effort.

Here's a record shot of a sand martin: