It's a cracking bright sunny winter's day here today, but the wind is chilly around the ears! After a lull over the last week, the crossbills have re-appeared and were seen in the same general area behind the extension car-park yesterday. Sadly no one has managed to get any images (that I'm aware of anyway), that I can share as yet. A nice flock of lesser-redpolls are around the reserve, but very mobile, although they have also been seen in the birches in the car-park at times. Two or three bramblings have been spotted around the gatehouse this week, while the ravens are being seen on the new heath on a daily basis at the moment, and a few of the reed buntings and yellowhammers are coming over to the reserve from the seed crop on Sandy heath.
There has been a good number of birdwatchers (including me!) congregating along Sunderland Road in Sandy, and mostly getting great views of the single waxwing that has been scoffing the berries, usually along the boundary to Marshalls paving or in trees opposite, bordering the football pitches.
We are getting closer to the Big Garden Birdwatch weekend (Jan 26-28) and this weekend we warm up for the main event with our own event at The Lodge where we will be leading bird walks, showing the birds visiting the feeders and giving ID tips to get prepared for the survey. In the visitor centre we'll have fat balls to make and take home, and it's the perfect time to top up on your bird food and feeders from the shop. There's a great new half-price offer on a bundle of feeders and assorted bird foods as pictured, saving £20.60 on the full price.
The bird walks run at intervals from 11am - 3pm.
I'll sign off today with the most recent images of the reserve at sunrise, taken by Rob Gilmore.
Chaffinch
Reed bunting