Spring seems to have arrived in Shawlands (just in time for the BBC's "Winterwatch" starting in three days' time) with Queen's Park this morning full of singing birds. Blue Tit, Great Tit and Robin were the most frequent singers with at least twelve but possibly more than twenty of each. Other species heard in song consisted of Woodpigweon, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Nuthatch and Mistle Thrush. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming near the greenhouses. Nearby, a Jay was a bird I rarely encounter here. Also notable were two Cormorants (one fishing for small fish - successfully) on the main pond. I haven't seen them here this year, although a quick check of birdtrack revealed that up to three had been present for the past three days. Botanical finds continue to be confined to Jelly Ear fungus, Hazel flowers and emerging Snowdrops. Insects were non-existent, although I saw lekking Winter Gnats in Larbet yesterday.