And what a venture!
As I topped up the feeders, a Kingfisher was calling and flying up and down along the edge of the water. A good start.
The grass in front of the feeders, is now a mass of Cowslips, all flowering.
Quite a sight.
A couple of Chiffchaff calling around by the car park, along with a couple of Willow Warblers,
and a male Blackcap.
There were to be more of these, all around the lake.
The sun was shining by now, and another Kingfisher flew past the nest site.
At the top end of the north lake, a distinct lack of 'winter ducks', and across the lake, the pair of Mute Swans were happily nesting close to the edge of the lake.
Probably not the best of places.
As I made my way around the back of the pub, a single Wheatear was foraging in the grass, and amongst the mole hills.
Only the second one I've seen here.
He soon flew up into the trees,
and then flew off north.
A few Cuckooflower's were out in flower, amongst the grass,
or sometimes known as Lady's Smock.
Past the pub, and on towards the south lake. A look over to Cormorant island, and in the far distance, a Common Sandpiper, along the edge.
He's the little white crescent on the edge of the shore.
A very heavy crop and shot towards the sun.
A terrible picture, but I always like to try and get some video, or a picture, of what I see, just in case some of the grown ups doubt what I see.
And the next bird was a cracker!
The picture is equally poor, he was very mobile, and took off into the bush, so it was a case of shoot and hope; but it's not everyday I see a Redstart here.
A stunning male, too. He's smack in the middle of the frame.
At the top end of the south lake, and under the railway arch, a lone Bluebell, brightening up the darkness there.
The Little Grebes were swimming in their usual spot, and more warblers calling from the bushes.
By the offices, a pair of Mute Swans have built a nest, where a Heron used to love to fish. I don't suppose he'll be fishing there for a while.
One of the swans had a couple of rings on, so I'll try to find out where he was ringed.
My guess would be in Bedford; some of them usually find their way here.
As I reached the car park, a quick shower of hale and rain; but not enough to dampen a cracking morning.
Full list of today's sightings
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)
Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)
Gadwall [sp] (Anas strepera)
Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)
Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)
Little Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)
Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)
Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)
Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)
Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)
Eurasian Collared Dove [sp] (Streptopelia decaocto)
Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)
Green Woodpecker [sp] (Picus viridis)
Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)
British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)
British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)
Common Redstart [sp] (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
Northern Wheatear [sp] (Oenanthe oenanthe)
Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)
British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)
Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)
Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)
Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)
British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)
British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)
British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)
Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)
Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)
Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)
Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)
House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)
British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)
Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)
Total species 39