A need for a vehicle MOT at Neyland gave us time for a walk at Westfield Pill this morning.
The Heronry was in full swing, with at least 11 nests occupied (8 clearly incubating birds; 2 standing on not quite finished nests and another fully built nest where the adult was perched nearby). In addition to the 11 birds at nests, another 6 (probably males) were standing on the shore nearby, bills glowing pink and in typical early season pre-breeding display posture.
The drake Mandarin was in the lagoon associating with one of the pairs of Mallards.
Two Chiffchaffs were heard, one in full song the other contact-calling only. Over-wintering birds yet to move on, or recent arrivals - anyone's guess?
With so many bird-feeders along the route, it was perhaps not too surprising that there were probably at least 10-12 nuthatches present along with various titmice and chaffinches etc.