Waiting for the First

Photos and words by William Bowell

It seems an age since I last wrote to you, dear reader. We appear to have had a whole winter in the meantime, and as I write this in mid-February it may still be cold and wet—but I’m already full of anticipation for the spring ahead.

As you’ll know, I famously love spring. I can’t get enough of getting out at dawn, at lunchtime and again at dusk. My wife barely sees me at this time of year, as there is simply so much to look for. March, for me, is where it all begins.

Well—not quite. I’ve already had a couple of hints of spring at my beloved Deeping Lakes in February. The first Oystercatcher has returned from its coastal wintering grounds, and Shelducks have also reappeared. But these feel more like relocations than true migrants—birds shifting slightly rather than embarking on epic journeys.