It's not grim up North Hide.

North Hide on Radipole has provided some pretty amazing birds over the past few weeks and there is virtually always something of note to hold one's attention. The much publicised glossy ibises seem settled into Radipole life and North Pool is a favoured haunt allowing the capture of images such as Luke's beauty below.

The kingfisher pair seemed to get a bit carried away with some unseasonably warm days in February and allowed Spring Fever to take a temporary hold. Now on the cusp of April and in glorious sunshine everything is progressing as expected with fish passes a regular event to seal their bond.

The marsh harriers, (seemingly the same pair that bred last year) are also regularly in close proximity to the hide and can make for spectacular viewing - although not always from the point of view of our wildfowl. And, on the subject of wildfowl, Sunday saw our first Garganey of the spring mingling close to the still 40 strong raft of teal.

Garganey are a summer visitor to the British Isles having migrated from Africa which is unique among British ducks. We are fairly confident that they have bred on the reserves in recent years - courtship and mating has been witnessed on many occasions - but this has never been proven. One of the reasons for this could be that having mated the strikingly marked male usually clears off and the female retreats into the darkest, knotted recesses of dense wet vegetation and remains there until the young have fledged.

There is a water rail territory established in 'The Deeps' to the left of the hide and the squealing call and response now firmly a part of the background noise.

Mike Richards (rspb-images.com)

Added to all this there is stone chat, Cetti's and reed bunting territories all in close proximity to the hide so colour and vibrancy at every turn and never a dull moment... Guaranteed!!!