A glorious morning for an early start on the reserve and the wildlife didn't let us down!! The dawn chorus walk was cancelled last week due to bad weather and was rescheduled for this morning and we're really glad!!

Lots of warblers singing their hearts out- willow warbler, chiffchaff, garden warbler, blackcap, whitethroat, reed warbler and sedge warbler.

Birds of prey looked fantastic against the morning blue skies with great views of marsh harrier, hobby, kestrel, buzzard and a red kite was seen over the reserve near Fairburn village yesterday.

A cuckoo was heard in the Pickup area and over the past few days it has been both seen and heard from Lin Dike.

Also, seen/heard this morning was, great spotted woodpecker, songthrush, garganey, great crested grebe, common tern, red-legged partridge, tree sparrow and skylark.

At the Kingfisher screen we had the most amazing experience- not only did we see one Kingfisher but we saw it teaching it's baby how to fish! This was also seen yesterday by a visitor and the day before someone actually watched a pair mating- a once in a lifetime encounter with nature I'd say!

Lots reported on the reserve yesterday: garganey, willow tit, cuckoo, blackcap, whitethroat, grasshopper warbler, ringed plover, oystercatcher, redshank, little ringed plover, jackdaw, 2 yellow wagtail and shelduck.

The crane seems to have left the area but keep your eyes peeled in case it comes back!