Early-April Locals

A very confiding adult male Lesser Redpoll brightened up my birding days this week (3rd to 7th) and was a regular visitor to the feeders at home. This stunning bird allowed exceptionally close approach and often looked rather sleepy. (I have a feeling it might have been on its last legs, sadly.) Anyway, it posed beautifully in perfect light and enabled me to take my best shots ever of this locally uncommon species.

Slightly further afield, a pair of Garganey appeared at Campfield Marsh RSPB on 6th and though distant, were nice to see.

Over at Wedholme the usual pair of Little Ringed Plover had arrived and I saw these well on 9th although they were virtually impossible to approach. Nice to see them back, though - and in beautiful light too. There was also a putative White Wagtail in the morning but it had vanished by the time I returned in the evening.