It has stopped snowing but it has remained very cold and there is a lot of snow still lying on the ground and the lakes and pools remain frozen. This hasn't stopped the last few days being brilliant for birds and has pushed a lot of species closer to the centre.
The normally shy water rail is being seen all over the reserve, most notably at the duck and swan feeding platform where two have been seen every day and are spending most of their time out on the ice along with the mallards, moorhens and swans. Up to three water rails have been seen at cut lane.
On Saturday a visitor reported an incident between a water rail and Kingfisher at the screen. A kingfisher had dived into the stream and as it flew out again a water rail dashed out of the undergrowth and grabbed it, fortunately the kingfisher made a lucky escape to fish another day. Water rails look like unassuming birds but they have a vey mixed diet and in cold spells like this they will catch small birds like finches and tits given the opportunity. If anyone else has any stories like this one please let us know.
A woodcock was a regular visitor on the board walk close to the visitor centre and the feeders have attracted all sorts including wiilow tits, bullfinches, coal tits, goldfinches, great spotted wood peckers and even a Jay!
Lesser redpolls have been seen in good numbers around the reserve most commonly from Pickup. Tree creepers and lots of redwing and fieldfare have also been seen here.
Lin Dike has also been alive with birds with the hedges alongside the path alive with fieldfares and redwings, a barn owl has been regularly seen and the long eared roost has had up to four birds present. On Wednesday four Whooper swans were resting on the ice at Spoonbill Flash.