The vernal equinox occurred at 21:58 on 20th, marking the official start of spring, as far as I’m concerned. Almost bang on cue, 40ish hours later, I heard my first chiffchaff of the year chiffing and chaffing for all it was worth from some gloriously becatkinned goat willows at the side of the B&Q car park in Halifax. Edgeland habitats often bring unexpected thrills like this.
22 March 2019
