For the first time in years a wintering male black cap was in the garden this afternoon. Last night whilst walking the dogs in the moonlight I heard the skritch-skritch call of snipe flitting overhead. Off Strumble this afternoon a flock of about 15 divers flew in from the west settling down off the lighthouse, mostly red throated I think but at least a couple of black throated... Two shags seemed to be paired up feeding just below the lookout. One with a definite crest developing, heralding the spring even in the depths of winter.
