Wheatear - my second earliest

A resplendent looking male Wheatear below farborough bank amongst the mipits and winter thrushes did not look out of place despite the cold north easterly breeze as we walked out to toft shallows. My second earliest date in 37 years of records of spring Wheatears here. Failed to see the Long-tailed Duck, Smew or any Snipe. Water Rail in toft shallows along with Buzzard, Treecreeper, Goldcrest and 8 Gadwall. Disappointing trawl of the grandborough valley only produced 10 Yellowhammer.

As temperatures struggled to get over 10c this afternoon both Brimstone and my first Comma of the year made brief excursions into the garden. Buzzard 3 over.