5^th March. I wanted to get the month off to a good start and had been bugged by a potential new species down south, so with perfect weather forecast I set off very early as usual and down the M5. I crossed the Tamar Bridge and arrived at Polthbaric in Cornwall just before 7 as the sun was rising. The set aside field of choice was still frozen solid so I donned my warmest gear and set off in search of a little brown job. It was a beautiful setting with the clear northerly light looking back at the railway bridge spanning the estuary with the sound of distant shore birds. My target was supposedly to be found in the hedgerow of the field and so I scanned through the passerines looking for something different. Plenty of Chaffinches, three Bullfinches, dozen of Meadow Pipit, and the usual Blue and Great Tits were clearly evident but no sign of any Buntings. The Chaffinches with which the Little Bunting was supposed to be mixing were some of the jumpiest I've ever encountered with the slightest thing putting them up and not allowing me to approach even within 50 meters. To me that was a bad sign and so it proved as over the course of the next 3 hours I scanned relentlessly only finding the aforementioned species. No sign of the Northern visitor at all. I reduced myself to photographing what was on offer with the Meadow Pipits proving tricky but ultimately rewarding. A flyover Canada Goose pair gave a few decent shots but a Raven rolling in mid flight was right into the bright sun. I eventually reached the point of decision, choosing to cut my losses and actually try for some photographs over waiting possibly for a bird that may have moved on (This proved not to be the case as some fellow Welsh birders found the bird early afternoon). I headed to Torpoint where I had a quick look for an adult Ring-Billed Gull, but with the hide tide, the rocks where the bird had been seen were covered and all I found was Herring Gulls and even had a potshot at the Starlings singing in the bright morning sun. I then took the ferry across to Plymouth to head back East seeing only an Oystercatcher and a Cormorant fly past from the boat. Finding myself in Devon I wanted another shot at one of its special residents so headed to Broadsands where I'd read that you have as good a chance as anywhere on finding them. On paying my 30p at the car park I was soon in the blocked off car park and scanned the hedgerows for birds. At the top end I found a pair of Long-Tailed Tits and after looking further found their wonderful dome like nest which they were busily building. Heartened by this sign of spring and then the sight of a Chiffchaff flycatching, I left them to it and moved further round, watching a steam train as it passed over the viaduct. I then heard an unusual call and the day was saved! Soon I was watching two dozen Cirl Buntings as they fed at their winter feeding site. After studying their behaviour I managed to position myself fairly close to the birds while they kept about the business, undisturbed by my presence. I then lay down on the tarmac and crawled on my belly closer to where they were feeding, eventually finding myself wonderfully close with the birds happily feeding. I then proceeded to get shots of Cirl Buntings that I never thought possible, showing quite a variation in plumage between distinct males and females. I was blown away by the numbers, with sometimes eighteen birds feeding at once and others perched in the bushes behind. Ironically the birds perched in the bushes gave better photo opportunities with more natural looking poses but to be splitting hairs over the experience is ridiculous! Several other species were present with several Reed Buntings feeding alongside, Chaffinch, Dunnock and Robin also helping themselves to the free food. After 45 minutes of snapping and several hundred shots to mull over, I decided to move on, chatting to a fellow birder as I left who had been watching over my prone body with a scope! With a more positive frame of mind following the Cirl Bunts, I in the direction of Exeter and eventually arrived at Steps Bridge, to look around Dunsford Woods for our smallest Woodpecker. It was a lovely drive through the winding river valley and a cracking setting on arrival. The target bird had been seen several times in the preceding days and groups of departing birders were convinced they'd had one earlier, along with a certain Firecrest. So with great optimism I set off into the wood looking for signs. I soon found Marsh Tit setting territories and along with the other common woodland species the area was busy with wildlife in the early spring sunshine. Two Buzzards were flying through the trees stopping at potential nest sites while a shrew and a mouse species scurried through the leaf litter. As for my Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, there seemed little sign as the only call I heard was certainly that of its larger relative, confirmed by several sightings near the tops of the tall trees. The Firecrest never appeared and I could only find Goldcrests which were also singing. My Woodpecker search was halted a few times by a wonderful pair of Goosanders on the river who were wary but swam past several times. It was frustrating that they were into the sun as they would have made wonderful photo subjects (especially the male) but I still managed a few nice shots. It's always a challenge to photograph black and white birds as getting the contrast right is so difficult, even more so when the light is harsh. I could have stayed in the wood much longer but time was marching on and I still had one more "possible". Heading back up the M5 I headed through Bridgewater, getting stuck in some very annoying temporary traffic lights, but finally found my way over to Steart where I hoped to improve my shots of my website species. The wind had picked up and the sun was dropping so it was wrap up warm time again as I started walking. I scanned the fields for big birds and only managed to locate a singles of Fieldfare, Redwing, Lapwing, Curlew, Stonechat (first one in six months) and Little Egret. Unfortunately, no sign of the Mute Swan herd with its Common Crane guest that had been seen for the previous few days. I guess it was just a day of too many not to be moments, although as the car headed back home an emergency stop allowed a nice evening light shot of a perched Buzzard before it flew off.