It did not feel very much like spring as we were repairing the fences on the extreme north west of the reserve, but the spring migrants were there. House Martins and Swallows were flying quite close to the farthest reaches of the Wilderness Trail, with the distinctive white rump of the House Martin clearly visible in contrast with the Swallow's dark.
At the weekend the Wildlife Garden was host to a Whitethroat which was heard and seen by many visitors. It was a warm day and there was a buzz of bees and hoverflies visiting the flowers showing just what a home for wildlife a garden can be.
On the way to our work site today we went along the Wildflower Walk and were greeted by a great display of Cowslips. The management of this area with winter sheep grazing and selective summer grass cutting is having the desired effect. Other flowers will follow with a display of Common Blue butterflies and Burnet moths later in the year.
Many garden centres now sell Cowslips and they are easy to grow - much easier than polyanthus and large flowered primroses. They can even be grown in a lawn if it is not cut too short and will seed themselves; and they provide nectar for pollinators.
The view from the Wildflower Walk today.