My wife and I had the day off so we walked around Westhay Nature Reserve. So many warblers and so much sound! Numerous sightings, the most notable of which were the first hobby, common whitethroat and swifts of the year, plus house martins and a redpoll. Heard about 3 cuckoos. And good to see several pairs of great crested grebes and their nests. With all the busyness of late, it was good to have a chance to catch up and talk over a few things. 
Tag: spring
Met up for a picnic and walk with friends yesterday. A somewhat chilly picnic but it warmed up as the afternoon went on. Just a relief to be able to get out and meet up. Quite busy, everyone enjoying their freedom but it was interesting how people were considerate, made an effort to maintain social distancing and most noticeably, seemed rather quiet and tired. Like we have all come out of our burrows, bleary-eyed and blinking in the sunshine.
Sitting in the garden enjoying the sunshine a short while ago we heard the chatter of a swallow and there it was, one of ours, on its favourite spot on the telephone wires.
Setting the clocks forward an hour last weekend should dictate that I have trouble waking up early enough. So as the exception to prove the rule, I have woken at about 4:30am most mornings since, which a week ago would have been 3:30am. Go figure. I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for more swallows but none so far beyond the [lone arrival on Tuesday](https://strandlines.blog/2021/03/30/first_swallow/).Thursday was exceptionally hazy with [Saharan dust](https://twitter.com/metoffice/status/1377525671476477952?s=21). The briefest of showers deposited a disproportionate and comical quantity of dust on the car.Had my Covid jab this morning. Looked to be a very efficient setup at our local community hospital. A sterling effort being made by the NHS and volunteers. Just starting to feel under the weather. Fingers crossed that it won’t get any worse than this.
Beautiful weather today. Blue skies, warm sun and a warm breeze. And on that presumably Mediterranean airflow, surprise surprise, my first swallow of the year.