It's been a fantastic couple of days weather wise up here, freezing cold in the mornings mind you, but it's nice to see a bit of sun and some blue sky overhead for a change. The arable fields are full of birdsong, Skylarks and Corn Bunting especially, Water Rail are snorting in the reeds in front of Tower Pool Hide and there was a very loud, piping Oystercatcher over the farmhouse this morning, which is probably the first one I've seen away from the coast this year. It's made for a very nice wander round the reserve for a couple of colleagues from Edinburgh and Aberdeen, here to have a look around at our hides, paths and visitor centre and to chat about what we can do to make the reserve even better for our visitors (the answer to their questions of "Isn't it lovely?" and "Is it always like this?" are yes, it is and sadly, no it isn't!).

Starnafin looking exceptionally pretty in the sun this morning

The wardens have been taking advatage of the weather to get started on a very exciting new development on the reserve, one we've been waiting for for a very long time. We can't reveal quite what it is until it's finished in around mid-April, but this very well-hung gate frame is just the start...