Return of the migrant birds - NOT amateur radio

When I see the first migrant birds returning from Africa, my heart jumps for joy.  In this troubled world it is good to know that cycles that have gone on for thousands, possibly millions, of years carry on despite us. 

Yesterday I saw my first housemartin, although I have yet to see a swallow. 

In 4-6 weeks we will hear the screaming swifts feeding on the wing. We'll look up and there they will be and my heart will lose another beat.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/swift .

Tulip - NOT amateur radio

 This is in our garden.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

An average session overnight with no real DX. 11 stations spotted my 10mW ERP WSPR on 630m.

Sunspots - Saturday April 13th

 Solar flux is 152 and the SSN 83. A=6 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR (Friday)

 My 10mW ERP has been on for a few hours. 4 stations have spotted me so far.

Nest - NOT amateur radio

A blackbird has decided to nest in the arch over our back gate. 

I had not noticed this nest before, so it may be new. I hope it succeeds.

Crab Apples - NOT amateur radio

This spring, our crab apple tree has plenty of blossom. Hopefully we’ll have a good harvest of crab apples later.

500uW 10m WSPR (Friday)

My 10m WSPR beacon is again on with 500uW (0.5mW).  So far today, no spots. I am wondering if EA8BFK is no longer monitoring?

I shall definitely try 10m 500uW WSPR in the Es season.

UPDATE 0954z: Yes, EA8BFK (2880km) is monitoring as he has just spotted me! A reminder that  my beacon is pre-programmed to report 0.5W, even though it is 30dB lower with the PA off.

UPDATE 1302z: 13 spots of my 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 2143z: 27 spots of my QRPP today.

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

This morning, I am on 6m FT8 with my 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna. So far, 6 English stations spotting me. No DX evident here.

UPDATE 0946z:  Now spotted by 11 stations including stations in Norway and Sweden.

Warmth? - NOT amateur radio

For the first time this year we managed a cup of tea in the garden and it felt warm enough this morning to cut the grass in shirt sleeves. 

The tulip in the photo shows one in our garden.