The tail end of winter

A few hours traipsing around Staines Moor this afternoon failed to produce the hoped-for first Sand Martin, Wheatear or LRP of the year, but a singing Chiffchaff, 4 displaying Lapwing and 5 singing Skylark added a spring-like feel. 4-5 Water Pipits along the River Colne, 2 Goosander and a flock of 70+ Fieldfare were the highlights.

Staines Moor is littered with the oldest Yellow Meadow Ant Lasius flavus nests
in Britain, and are a good indication that the ground here has never been ploughed!
This is also a great area for Green Woodpeckers.