It certainly has the feel of spring over these last few days. Brimstones and peacock butterflies have been darting about, birds are singing everywhere, woodpeckers are drumming and buzzards have been displaying over the new heath. The first chiffchaff should be announcing its presence any day and then we'll know that spring is really here!
John Bridges (rspb-images.com)
Lizzie was with a TV crew yesterday and they were filming woodpeckers on the reserve. While they were out lots of raptors were performing over the heath; peregrine, red kite, three buzzards, kestrel and several sparrowhawk were all in the air at various times.
There is one special winter bird around at the moment, a single twite has been seen by the very patient birders, usually just off of the reserve on Biggleswade Common, coming to water for a drink. It then flies back towards Sandy Heath, opposite the reserve, but it would be very tricky to see it here amongst the crops. Good luck if you are searching for it this weekend!
Twite Andy Hay(rspb-images.com)