"Our" Mallard arrived in our garden/leat on March 1st (a few days later than 2012). Only two males so far with a single female (which has some definite farmyard duck antecedents unfortunately) - but going on past years these will be supplemented by at least four to six males all doing their best to to do their best. No young seen last year although in 2011 there was a successful hatching of nine.
More unusual was a Water Pipit cowering in the icy wind on north beach today, 12 March.
Dippers have become more vocal in the last couple of weeks on the Aeron (stretch near Jewsons). Jays pairing up. Blackbirds and Song Thrushes have stopped collecting nesting material (whcih they were quite busy at) since the cold began last Sunday - and are concentrating on searching for food. Young Mistle Trhushes about (two).
Ian harrison