Local Patch - 04/03/09: First African migrant arrives !

At Dunstable STW, my earliest ever Sand Martin - by all accounts, the third earliest for Bedfordshire! A Brambling was hanging around the feeders, and four Little Egret were disturbed by contractors. During the afternoon, a pair of Mandarin were found by JL.
So, please forgive the postage-sized record shot, for it's the symbolism behind the image that counts: SPRING has arrived !

Brambling

The RBF at Leagrave Marsh remains but kept deeper in to the wood, probably owing to a cooler and keener wind. A Brambling posed briefly in rather difficult lighting.