The skylarks are singing at St Aidan's. Go and have a listen. Birds are warming up their voices ready for spring. It's time to start claiming territories and get ready to attract a mate.
A bittern was heard booming in the reedbeds earlier this week and there are coots-a-tooting all across the reserve. The black-headed gulls heads are turning brown, and the great crested grebes are becoming worthy of their name as their breeding plumage develops. Some are even starting their courting dances, and male goldeneye are practising their showy displays.
Great crested grebe on Astley
Goldeneye pair
The trees are feeling the love too, with pussy willow peeping out alongside the path. And I saw my first daisy of the year today too.
Pussy willow
Daisy
A very early chiffchaff has been reported chiffing and chaffing nearby, while chaffinches are starting to call and last week there was a blackbird singing in my street. Blue tits and great tits have been singing from the tree tops for the last couple of weeks, but they can't really compete with the wren - a tiny bird with a huge voice.
Of course the current main attraction at St Aidan's is the male bearded tit who has been wowing the crowds in the reeds along the edge of Bowers lake. He must be the most photographed tit in Yorkshire at the moment. If you're on Facebook have a look at some of the amazing photos on the Yorkshire Birds & Birders group page. There are many much better than mine!
Mr bearded tit
Last but not least, a visitor to the reserve pointed out this kestrel watching from the Dragline just as I was leaving.
So take a walk, prick up your ears. There's already plenty to hear. If you want to find out more about birdsong, why not join the next Birding for Beginners walk at St Aidan's on Saturday 6th April with Andy Chapman.