Spring has most definetly sprung with a variety of insects and bumble bees around the reserve. Birds are starting to pair with blue tits and great tits taking up residence in our many nest boxes up and around the hill, and singing from all of the trees.
On the flood many different species of ducks and waders can clearly be seen including shoveler, mallard, several pairs of gadwall, teal, wigeon, lapwings and oyster catchers. Our regular breeding great crested grebes have started their elegant display along with a small group of little grebes. Towards the back of the reserve, on the loch edge, around 20 whooper swans are grazing with a larger flock of pink-footed and greylag geese along with the rather unusual Ross's goose spotted today on the reserve. Buzzard's make a regular apperance moving from a variety of their favourite posts and perches.
The loch has a fantastic array of birds with female goosanders patrolling the shore and huge rafts of tufted ducks and goldeneye forming further out. St. Serfs island is buzzing with activity, as the huge groups of gulls that breed on the island have began to form.
Check in next Saturday for another update on the spring excitement at Vane.
Lewis.