Despite the weather birds are in spring mode. The Ravens have refurbished their nest and the female should be laying soon. The Crows are also building leading to scraps between the two species. The Stock Doves are busy in the old Barn Owl box but I hope the new box will home the species it was built for.
The Song Thrush that mimics a Mallard and a second that mimics a Willow Tit have not been heard this year. The former has been around for a number of years so perhaps has not survived. But, the Song Thrush that mimics the Tree Pipit is still singing and there is a new boy on the block who needs to pep up his repertoire.  The Dipper is now singing from the river.
One or two Sky Larks have returned and there was a flock of about 20 Meadow Pipits on the hill. The flocks of Starling and Fieldfares are still around as are the Snipe with a count of 6 feeding in the rushes.
Valentine's day produced the first sighting of frog spawn followed by lots in every pool and in all the ponds. This brought the Heron and most probably other birds/mammals as evidenced by parts of frogs and frog spawn left on the ground.