Snowdrops flowered in the Discovery Trail this week and catkins have started appearing on the alder trees. Cormorants and herons have begun nest building, and woodpeckers have started drumming. So while it may be grey, and it may or not be snowing, it’s time to start looking forward to spring!
Discovery trail snowdrops, taken by Sally Granger
Birds of prey have been spotted across the reserve with a sparrowhawk, marsh harrier and kestrel over the flashes and lagoons, and a peregrine not too far from the visitor centre. Also down on the flashes were eight curlew, several stonechat, a bearded tit and 14 pink-footed geese.
Two raven flew north-west over the visitor centre on Wednesday and a bank vole was spotted just a stone’s throw from the visitor centre, on the way to Pick-up hide. There have also been two reports of a yellow legged gull, once in the Main Bay gull roost and again on big hole. Both sightings were of a bird in its third year, could it be the same one?
Female marsh harrier, Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Very jealous of whichever lucky soul caught a glimpse of a brambling just beyond the Kingfisher Screen. While the Kingfisher screen itself has hosted a great variety this week, including a water rail and two goosander.
Keep warm everyone, I definitely recommend a visit first thing when the reserve is still crisp with frost!