Weekend catch up

On Saturday 25th March, in the garden, a Peacock butterfly settled briefly on the ground before flying off. I walked down to the scrape at Carlton Marshes, the fine male Garganey was swimming on the scrape in the distance and joined Teal, when they were spooked and it flew to the right around 20 yards. Later a Water Pipit flew up and calling flew towards Oulton marshes. Walking back I counted 15 Small Tortoiseshells and 1 Peacock all settled on the north path by Whitecast marsh. By the east wood, 3 Chiff- Chaffs were singing from the alders plus 2 Goldfinches seen and a female Siskin. On Sunday 26th Marsh by the old Coastguards garden, opposite Battery green and the multi- storey car park, a fine female Firecrest was seen flitting in a bush in the south east corner.