The barnacle geese clang and clatter over my house at first light, a piping pair of oystercatchers in their wake. The lesser black-backs begin their deep yodel too, a first attempt at spring duetting. By this pond sleep comes dropping slow, so I get up and go for a run: chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, robin, dunnock and song thrush singing, rook cawing delightedly, jay shrieking, a harrier drifting through the tops of the reeds. Along the river bank the strong scent-cloud of a fox and, this time, no stops for breath. I stop just twice: once to check the fresh slots of a red deer and once out of respect for the pied and chestnut horses by the bridge, who don't like it if you run.
Today I'm supporting Norfolk Wildlife Trust at an event in Great Yarmouth. This is part of Wild Norfolk, a huge three-year project helping people in the county's towns to discover urban wildlife. I'm expecting herring gulls in silvery spring plumage on the rooftops and harriers along the Acle Straight.
From red deer at home to spotted deer in India. These photos have kindly been sent by Ian and Tracey Quennell who joined us in Central India on a magnificent Tiger Direct tour last month.
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