the end of silence

The by now traditional long silence between the flurry of winter birding and the start of the spring is hopefully nearly over, as the first early spring migrants have begun to appear on the cork coast. Had a wander down Shite Lane this morning, but couldn't do better than a water rail skulking in the ditch at the bottom of Marsh Lane, trying to look rare. Only me second one actually on the patch, as I usually hear them around Kilkeran Lake, which technically speaking is actually outside the patch. Enough excitement for one day!