It felt like all our Christmases had arrived at once on the reserve today, when we were treated to spectacularly close up views of a woodcock that decided to sit down and recuperate right next to staff and volunteers!
We were in the middle of conducting this week’s Farmland Bird Survey, when the bird glided over the field we were traipsing through and flew straight towards us, landing just a few feet away. It was definitely the week’s highlight, and really topped off the beautiful winter’s morning. It would have made a fantasic photograph... what a shame none of us had brought along a camera...
The Farmland Bird Survey turned up good numbers of reed bunting, linnet and yellowhammer; and the earlier risers among us were rewarded with views of 79 white-fronted geese and thousands of pink-footed geese from Tower Pool Hide at sunrise.
The estate work for the week has mostly been the continued construction of a pony proof fence. Despite the ponies’ best efforts to distract us from out task over the past couple of weeks by escaping their grazing area, the fence is really starting to take shape.
Great work everyone, the fence it looking fantastic. I wish I was there to help you with it!