With the sunshine and showers of late it has felt more like April than August!! Although it has seemed as if rain is always on the horizon, the amount we have had over the reserves has made little impression on the very low water levels. The ground being high and dry has enabled all our management work to go on apace however sightings of the first avocets on the 19th of the month focused our minds a little as we know the arrival of the winter waders and wildfowl is just around the corner. Swallows and house martins can still be seen hawking the ditches for insects, but the swifts have gone and their shrieking calls around the buildings can no longer be heard and we have to wait for another year – how amazing wildlife is. Despite the lack of sun this month if anyone ventured into Powderham Marshes they were in for a treat as the sunflowers in the arable fields were enough to brighten any cloudy day. They are also a sign that there is a lot to look forward to and a pinch myself moment that I am very lucky to work in a place that I actually look forward to the winter – to see the flocks of finches feeding on the seeds amongst the stubbled crops and watch the swirling groups of the wader flocks as they are spooked by the passing peregrine that fancies his chances in the large roost at Bowling Green Marsh. Or to catch a glimpse of the Mr Fox stalking a group of wigeon but with the feeling sure he will fail as he is spoilt for choice.