Spring is certainly here by the sounds of all the wildlife sightings our visitors have been reporting - Avocets have been reported on Hicksons Pool, to the west of Lin Dike, and our Ranger Alan had a fantastic experience this morning when he saw a Skylark (which was also singing), a Willow Warbler and a Yellowhammer all at once!
We had some great sightings yesterday, too - a Swallow was seen flying over Big Hole (the pool between the Kingfisher Screen and the start of the Riverbank Trail), and nearby, on the Lin Dike Link, another visitor saw a Grey Heron. On New Flash, a relative of the Grey Heron, a Little Egret, was seen - as you drive from Lin Dike towards the visitor centre, New Flash is on your right-hand side. A Blackcap was reported as being seen around Village Bay, a fairly sure sign that Spring is definitely here. Closer to the visitor centre, one lucky person saw a Green Woodpecker from the building itself; and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen on the feeders just outside. Two Yellowhammers were also spotted from the visitor centre. These beautiful birds are a Red Listed species in the UK after a recent population decline. The male has a bright yellow head and underparts (the female not needing to impress, of course - joke! - ), and these birds have an odd-sounding call - just click on the Yellowhammer link to have a listen, and I'm pretty sure you'll agree! Still, maybe it would make it easier to find one...?
Georgina Collins