Whilst taking the monthly water table measurements yesterday, Assistant Warden Jenny Wallace saw 6 Little Egrets, 2 Ravens (circling/calling overhead), c.20 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 40 Snipe and numerous singing Meadow Pipits, and Skylarks, as well as a couple of Small Tortoiseshell butterflies.
Whilst installing some new signs with volunteers Mike, Martin and James, I also heard, Linnet, Tree Sparrow, Reed Bunting and Chaffinch in song and saw numerous Brown Hares chasing each other around.
However, the highlight for me was a male Merlin, that a visitor pointed out to me, sitting on a fence post in front of the viewing screen. After watching it for 5 minutes, it suddenly took off and made its signature 'short, dashing flight' and in doing so flushed up two Snipe and numerous Skylarks and Meadow Pipits.
Over the next few weeks, keep a look out for returning Yellow Wagtails and Wheatears, as well as displaying Lapwings and Curlews.