April 4th..
The fine sight of my first Swallow of the year winging it's way north while I was working in Cumbria.
Also migrant Coot heard going over in the dark and 25 Sand Martin.

Today...
After a foggy start, blue skies and the temp up to 20 degrees C during an afternoon visit to highland Perthshire. No surprise to see butterflies coming out with that kind of weather, my first Peacocks and Small Torts. A stark contrast to start of last week when there were snow showers and day time temps struggled to get above 0.
This morning at Letham, I was a little surprised not to see any hirundines yet or the first Little Ringed Plover. Lots of duck but the only real change were 7 Common Snipe. Presumably these are spring passage migrants; the site seems to have potential for breeding Snipe but I haven't had any drumming or chipping birds here in the summer months. Usually a gap in sightings here between spring and the first returning autumn passage birds in the second half of July.

Fem Sparrowhawk showing fluffed out undertail coverts-a feature often quoted as being useful in Goshawk ID.

In more typical pose; back to showing slim hips and long thin tail. Also small head and bill.