The breeding season is really getting underway now, with nests and displaying wildlife appearing throughout the reserve.
One of the most popular species at this time of year is always our great crested grebes. If you are lucky you may spot their famous famous weed dance - though usually only snippets of the full display. At least three pairs are at Island Mere, with one pair nesting close to the hide and providing a superb show for visitors. Their smaller cousins, little grebes, are also courting, so listen out for their whinnying calls around any reedbed pools.
Great crested grebe with nest material by Oscar Dewhurst
Marsh harriers are actively displaying above the reeds, and can often be seen carrying sticks or reeds to their growing nest within the reeds. At least five bitterns are booming, and are regularly seen. Bearded tits are also showing well, especially along the North Wall - though less so in today's wind.
Female marsh harrier carrying reeds by Oscar Dewhurst
Many of our small birds are nesting now too: long-tailed tits, marsh tits, treecreepers and robins have all been reported already in woods, and reed buntings and Cetti's warblers are singing around the reedbed. It won't be long before we start seeing families of fledglings around the reserve.
Out on the Scrape, lapwings and redshanks are nesting in front of North Hide, while avocets, oystercatchers, ringed plovers and black-tailed godwits are all beginning courtship. At least 80 avocets and 120 black-tailed godwits make the Scrape look a bit busier. Other waders seen this week have included dunlins, knot, curlews and the first whimbrel of the spring yesterday. Two jack snipe are at North Hide, but are typically hard to spot. Be careful, as there are several common snipe there too.
Also on the Scrape we've seen the first Sandwich terns this week, and Mediterranean gulls have peaked at six. Both Caspian and yellow-legged gulls are seen most days, but the adult Iceland gull on Wednesday only stayed for the day. The first two common terns were at Island Mere yesterday.
It's great to see the sand martins already beginning to excavate their burrows outside the visitor centre. Other migrants arriving this week have included blackcap and sedge warbler, with the first nightingale reported at lunchtime today and a ring ouzel on Westleton Heath yesterday. A stone-curlew was seen from the end of the North Wall this morning, though they haven't been regular there yet this year. Outgoing migrants include fieldfares and redwings in the North Bushes yesterday and the three tundra bean geese at Island Mere were last seen on Thursday.
Rarer visitors this week have included two common cranes over Island Mere this morning and a spoonbill on the Scrape today. The otters have been seen on the mere a couple of time today too.
Another species that is busy displaying this week is the adder, with both males and females seen in our adder watching area, often engaged in their courtship dance. There's at least one black (melanistic) adder there too.
With the arrival of warmer weather and spring sunshine, insect activity has increased, with sightings of small tortoiseshell, peacock, red admiral and speckled wood butterflies, several species of bumblebees, and my favourites: bee flies. The latter are best looked for feeding among ground ivy in open grassy areas.
Bee fly by Sue Stephenson-Martin
Finally, with more flowers emerging, it's nice to see a good display of coltsfoot just off the North Wall, where I took this photo yesterday.
I remember the great crested grebe nest well - on Wednesday two cheeky coots had a mating session on it! That was so funny to watch.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.