With a huge crop of reedmace across the reserve, we have been talking up the return of our favorite reedbed denizens for weeks now but still not really expect them until the start of December as per the norm.
I first found Penduline Tits on the reserve on 28th December 2004 when three danced into view. At least six came back in the 2005-2006 winter (anyone remember the Sociable Plover?) and we have had one or two in every winter since (bar 2007-2008) making us the most reliable wintering site in the whole UK!
Fingers crossed that they will stay for everyone to enjoy now!
Male bird by Jono Lethbridge
Female bird by Brenda Clayton