Spring is definitely in the air here on the reserve! It has been a fantastic day today and I have even seen people out and about in shirt sleeves. The birds are singing more and more and we have seen great tits and blue tits checking out our newly refurbished bird boxes around the boardwalk. Vistors had a supprise on a guided walk today when we got buzzed by a bat as it searched for insects over the water. The warm weather will bring these creatures out to feed after their long winter hibernation. Bats are difficult to identify but its size suggested that it was probably a noctule bat. Other signs of spring was the peacock and brimstone butterflies seen flitting about the trails, ladybirds brought into the centre by inquisitive children and the drumming of the great spotted woodpecker as is marks out it territory.
A highlight of the week was the flock of up to 1000 lapwings seen on the flashes and and its great to such large numbers of this impressive wader on the reserve. Other waders included curlews and a woodcock also on the flashes and a pair of oystercatchers on a small mudbank in front of Bob Dickens hides.
Ducks included several impressive drake goldeneyes, shovelers, shelducks and goosanders on main bay. Also on Main bay a pair of great crested grebes are starting to develop their breeding plumage. Buzzards are a common sight over the centre and a peregrine falcon has been seen on several occasions at Lin Dyke and the white fronted geese are still in the same area. Waxwings are still in the area and up to 30 were seen at Lin Dyke at about midday today.