Barton and MSQ,28.03.12.

Far-Ings NNR.

Blackthorn Blossum,MSQ.

Comma,MSQ.

Common Dog Violet,MSQ.

Male Common Toad,MSQ.

Peacock,MSQ.

Speckled Wood,MSQ.

My last day off today saw me heading firstly to Far-Ings at Barton and then spending the rest of the day at MSQ.The day started again as previous days with a nip in the air,but it soon warmed up and before long i was enjoying my first goodie of the day,a single Crossbill flying north over the old cements,adjacent to Far-Ings.This is only my second ever sighting of this woodland wanderer at Barton,so i was very pleased.As i continued around the pits,it was apparent there were quite a few Chiffchaffs around and i managed at least 12 singing males,but it was a Sylvia warbler that was the highlight,a lovely male Blackcap.It is always a highlight of any spring day to see these cracking birds and this particular bird showed very well in the scrub and bushes next to the scrape hides,singing that distinctive spring song.Other highlights around the pits here included a small group of 5 Redwing and a single Comma.I then travelled over to Messingham and en-route saw a cracking roadside Peregrine flying over the fields near to Scawby Park.After arriving at the reserve i spent the next 5 hours in glorious spring sun where the highlights consisted mainly of insects,but at least 9 Chiffchaff were recorded.The previously mentioned insects consisted of mainly butterflies with my first records and earliest records ever of both Speckled Wood and Green-veined White,with a single of the former and at least 4 of the latter being observed.Other species included my first 2 male Brimstone of the year,10 Peacock and 3 Comma.Another great day enjoyed out and about.