Another early start for Goose count this morning, especially since with the clocks only going forward on Sunday. It's worth being up for as we still have around 23,000 geese leaving the reserve as the sun rise. Unusally a large group of them headed South this morning, rather a surprise to Ben who was down there on his own expecting a quiet morning and was suddenly faced with 10,000 geese heading in his direction.
The warm weather has been bringing out the first spring insects of the year, little groups of Small Tortoiseshell have been seen all over the reserve and the first bees are already appearing in the office window. It's also encouraging all of the songbirds to show off a bit. While lots of them have very tuneful songs, the most entertaining by far is this Starling who sings from one of the old elms in the car park. As well as the usual starling call he's taken to doing impressions- including an incredibly accurate buzzard call that's fooled more than one visitor (and a couple of the staff!) into scanning the skies.
Away from the centre the BIttern is still being seen occasionally at Fen Hide. The walk to Fen Hide is always one of the most attractive parts of the reserve and today, the big gorse bushes by the top of the track are in full bloom and the whole area smells fantastically of roasted coconut (or possibly sun-tan lotion...). It's at it's best when the sun's out so head down there while you've got the chance.