Restless

The gulls were restless as a tractor from Low Springs farm trailed a long hose through their field. I guess some sort of fertiliser was being applied. That's what makes this "improved" pasture, rather than just pasture.

I had a late morning walk: my usual circuit along to Moorside, down into Spring Wood and then back via the Dam.  It felt like it might be warm and sunny enough for butterflies. It's usually early-mid March before I see any but last year's aberrantly warm February has me scanning the undergrowth a little earlier than usual. In the end none showed, but I did see my first bumblebee of the year.

At the Dam a couple of swans were in residence and at the far end I spied a solitary goosander, otherwise it was an array of paired up mallards and moorhen.

Then it was down to Valley Parade for another Stuart McCall homecoming. This is the start of his third spell as manager following two as a player. Perhaps a sentimental choice to arrest City's declining form, but there's a third of a season to climb back up into promotion contention. By all accounts the mood in the camp has been lifted.

Grimsby added to the occasion by bringing approaching three thousand fans, making one of the rare occasions this season when the ground has been full on four sides. City played well and dominated the game, finally taking the lead with less than quarter of an hour to go. It looked like that would be enough but Grimsby spoiled the party with an equaliser in added time. Harsh on City, but there is another home game on Tuesday night to get back out there and find that first win in a while.