End of week update from Carr Vale and the 15th (once the early frost had gone and the sun came out) was a pleasant early spring day and it sounded like it with two Common Chiffchaffs singing along with the Siberian Chiffchaff. More signs of spring was the arrival of first Shelduck of the year whilst other birds included three Grey Lag Geese, 131 Wigeon, the regular female Goosander, 163 Lapwings, ten Snipe, the usual Marsh Tit, a Siskin and a brief male Brambling. Earlier in the week apart from the regular Chiffchaffs and Marsh Tit (which are usually seen daily) the 12th produced five Goosander and a Siskin, the 13th gave us eight Mute Swans (highest count of the year), Grey Lag Goose, 17 Gadwall, 34 Teal, four Goosanders, a very good count of 29 Cormorants, Oystercatcher, Peregrine, two Siskins north and a roost count of 91 Goldfinches whilst on 14th Grey Lag Goose, 131 Wigeon, six Goosander, two Red Kites (1415 for ten minutes, a rare multiple sighting at CV), Oystercatcher and 130 Goldfinches flew to roost.
Nearby a Brimstone was seen in a Clowne Garden today (15th).