It was fantastic to go out on the reserve earlier today; the sun was shining and it felt lovely and clean and fresh.  The wind was very cold but, if you wrap up, it’s definitely worth a walk round.

The small birds were really busy feeding everywhere; on the feeders, in the woodland and particularly at the robin bridge.

The robin feeding area has turned into Piccadilly Circus for birds.  You can get up really close and personal with them, they're so used to people.

 

Anyone who says there’s not very much colour about, just look at the picture below. We might not have the bright yellows and blues of the spring/summer flowers but the rusts and reds of autumn/winter are lovely in their own right, especially in the sunshine.

We're going to be cutting down the dead flowers here in canal meadow within the next week or two but the birds are still enjoying the seed heads for the time being. We do have to cut it all back if we are to retain the diversity of the flora so, sorry birds.

When the sun is shining it does look lovely across the wetlands as well.

The conservation work parties have been very busy on the islands over the past few weeks. There’s lots of dock to cut down and willow to dig out but we’re getting there.

The new footpaths have definitely proved their worth over the past few weeks and we can now look forward to a new road surface some time in the New Year. We can only do the drive that belongs to us so don’t get too excited as it won’t be the whole length.

Hope you all have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.