Wasn't it supposed to be Swans that go a-swimming?

It's now been two weeks since our wintering Bittern was first seen at the reserve.  Most sightings have been in flight, usually around the Shallow Lagoon, but yesterday, a few lucky people saw something quite special - the bittern swimming across the water in front of the Benarth Hide.  Fortunately, among that lucky few was photographer Bob Garrett (whose excellent images are regularly shared on the RSPB Conwy Flickr pool).  He had just a few seconds, and captured it in the tranquil waters on a day when the weather was April-like and we were walking round the reserve wearing t-shirts.  Magic!  The bittern isn't seen every day, and it doesn't have a routine, so it's a matter of luck whether you see it, but the reeds opposite the Coffee Shop, running to the Benarth Hide, do seem a favourite.

Those reedbeds are also popular with the roosting Starlings. We reckon there are about 30,000 here at the moment, and visitors have been enjoying watching them come into roost over the Christmas holiday. One couple asked me last week how much the whole flock weighs, so we worked it out. It's 2.5 tonnes, so it's not surprising that most of our reeds have now been squashed flat!

The two firecrests are still here, around the Bridge Pond, and small numbers of lesser redpolls and siskins are seen in the alders and willows between here and the Visitor Centre.  On the lagoons, a few pochards and goldeneyes have settled in, but in low numbers given the mild weather.  A sparrowhawk has been seen regularly, and a merlin was seen on 29th and 30th, so may still be around.  A woodcock and jack snipe were seen on Thursday 27th, both good birds for anyone year-listing. The reserve total ended on 142 bird species (and a lot more for flowers and insects!), but it's back to zero for the start of 2013.  Who knows what the year will bring...

Finally, we'd like to wish all our readers a slightly belated Happy New Year, and we look forward to hearing how you Step up for Nature and enjoy visiting Conwy during 2013.