The flood has subsided since I drew the Strands, a field between the river and the canal, a month or two ago. Two pairs teal are disturbed as we walk by; a heron stalks patiently amongst the rushes; and a pair of lapwing seem to be considering nesting on an open stretch of the field exposed by the retreating water. There’s another single lapwing not far away.
Chiff-chaff and willow warbler are singing from trees and bushes alongside the canal.
A hirundine flies over the canal; we don’t get a brilliant view but we don’t spot any tail streamers and it then starts making a chirruping call which we’re familiar with from previous years: 
it’s our first house martin of the year.
Lovely post. We have lapwings here in Australia and they also nest in open spaces like fields. They are different looking to those in Britain. The little cameo sketches are delightful. Thank you Richard.