Just a quick update from Fairburn Ings today.
Its a gorgeous crispy day here with the reserve covered in a frosty blanket. The icy weather is encouraging lots of birds to visit our feeders with willow tits, bullfinches, tree sparrows, reed buntings and even a water rail spotted outside the visitor centre today. The long-eared owls are still roosting in their usual spot and several sightings of kingfishers have been reported in the last few days. Birds of prey have been spotted by several lucky visitors with red kite, peregrine, buzzard and marsh harrier all reported.
Other birds of interest include goosander, goldeneye, treecreeper, siskin, redpoll, stonechat, golden plover and flock of 200 pink-footed geese that flew over the reserve yesterday.
Large numbers of gulls are coming in to roost on the Main Lake. Among the commoner species have been Iceland and glaucous gulls.
It's not long now until Big Garden Birdwatch. In preparation we have set up our own lounge here in the visitor centre where you can brush up your ID skills, make a bird feeder and learn more about how you can contribute to the UK's largest wildlife survey.