The countryside has a real "neither one thing nor the other" feel at the moment. The mild weather of the past few weeks has been replaced by a colder snap (we had light snow a few days ago), and everything seems poised, waiting to see what is going to happen next.
Spent the late afternoon down at Castle Semple Loch. Between the squally showers, managed a walk along the loch shore, and back via the cycle path. First sighting was of a Common Sandpiper (my first of the year) which fluttered up from the shore and skimmed away across the loch. Next were three Swallows (again, my first of 2005), attempting to feed between the showers, but mostly perched, shivering in a tree. More at home were the three Goldeneye feeding out on the loch.
Spring plants continue to emerge, apparently oblivious to the weather. As well as the Daffodils and Dandelions which have been around for some time, noticed Dog's Mercury, Cuckoo Flower, Common Chickweed, Wood Anemone (below), Marsh Marigold (below), Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage (in a patch beside a small burn), Coltsfoot (beside the cycle path) and Wild Cherry, all in flower, and Common Comfry in leaf.
Heard a snatch of Willow Warbler song and then came across my third "Summer" arrival of the day, a Chiffchaff calling loudly from the cycle path hedge.
On the way home, noticed a small clump of Cowslips beside the Howwood bypass, and at Candrens Farm, as if to reinforce the Winter/Spring theme, 6 Whooper Swans.