It's amazing what rising temperatures and a bit of sunshine can do on a late January day. As I made my way around the southern end of the reserve this morning I was delighted to see numerous skylarks in the immediate vicinity and it wasn't long before I heard the first burst of song! One of my favourites, the skylark's song is beautiful and can often be heard on warm, bright days at the end of January and in February. Song thrushes were also in full voice, with two birds singing on the southern boundary. I even heard a couple of bursts of chaffinch song, as well as blue tit, great tit, robin and wren. It seemed almost spring like - at least it did until the clouds descended, the wind picked up and the rain started!
And some botanical interest, elder coming into leaf on the public footpath by the woodland and daffodils starting to emerge....