Water, water everywhere...

You may have noticed that it has been raining recently, as it always does at this time of year, and the River Trent is starting to creep up the floodbank and getting close to peeping over the top into the reserve.

We're alright at the moment but that river is a fearsome sight.

The River Trent on the right is approaching the top of flood bank (25cm from the top at time of writing), Langford Lowfields is on the left... there's a clue in the name! Photo Joe Harris

However some water is seeping into the reserve and levels are rising.  Another 20cm and the boardwalk will disappear beneath the waves.  The public footpath outside the southern boundary is flooded so if you are visiting the reserve it would be best to avoid that area.

However the birds do not seem to mind as they either swim in it or fly over it, and we are getting some exciting reports from our intrepid, but damp, band of volunteers.

Greenfinches and bramblings are here in lovely large flocks and a woodcock is feeding furtively in the woodland.  The starling murmurations have been an uplifting sight and our great northern diver and ring necked ducks are still here.  Bearded tits are enjoying the reed seeds and more unusual visitors include smew and goosander.  Red kites, barn owls and marsh harriers are quartering the reedbeds looking for anything which they can catch.

Barn owl, photo Stuart Carlton

And if you are dreaming of spring, here is something to make you smile.  Our first coltsfoot poked its head above the ground and gave us a burst of sunshine.,  Look out for them!  They get out so early by throwing up their stunning yellow flowers first, and leaving the leaves until later.

Coltsfoot, photo Joe Harris

Here comes the sun!