08.04.08

it’s interesting to see the alternative uses made of the information signs by animals on the site.
Some wild, some less so.

A resident wren often perches on one post in particular,
by the main bridge, meanwhile, two more residents use them as lookout points.

a jay, busy gathering nest material.

Pippin, just one of four cats spotted this day.

an elusive, but noisy chiffchaff on the railway emankment.
No post needed, just leafy cover.

07.04.08

on the reserve today, poking about on the margins of the main lagoon, occasionally taking flight to go to the opposite bank.

Slowly he got nearer and nearer, with me crossing the bridge to perhaps sneak a closer shot.

a dull, wet day -however, the reserve is busy

the cute siskin are quite happy, until another species drops in for a snack that is.
They then turn in quite a performance, flapping and squawking to deter unwanted visitors.

jays, while big, noisy and colourful, are actually very shy.
This one was caught in the millisecond he realised I was watching him from the hide.

Sunday 30.03.08

a fox near the river.
a male blackcap near the bog area.
the reed buntings.
an industrious working party.
coffee and cake.

plus

the “resident” sparrowhawk patrols the skies over the reserve.
-always inducing panic alarm calls around the site when it’s abroad.

a perky robin

an even perkier wren

Sunday 30.03.08
the newly planted butterfly meadow area next to the hide,
has proved itself a success, so early in the year too.

comma perched on “honesty”

comma perched on a perenniel wallflower

peacock sunbathing on a stone

fritillaries appear again.
how long will they last this year??

Last Saturday I was watching the kingfisher from the bridge with Sheila and Howard. I thought I would get a bit closer and use my new 20 x binoculars. So I stood by the bench and got a good view. Then I thought I was seeing things but to my amazement, there was another kingfisher virtually hidden behind the male, sitting quietly on the branch but further into the bush. The male did usual things like catching a fish and bashing its head on the branch, while the female stayed put quietly, not doing anything much. Sheila and Howard also came and saw the female – it was magic!

25.03.08

following on from the other day,
I can report two reed buntings on the site.

Fantastic!

I assume it’s a breeding pair, but must admit that the variety of plumages leaves me a bit unsure.
Let’s assume a pair, it’s Springtime after all!

here is a group of images which I just had to show,
as this is a first -let’s enjoy it!

here in numbers at the moment, siskin.
Like redwing, from Scandinavia, though the siskin seem to be present all year round,
but in reduced numbers.

just one of a 20 strong redwing flock in and around the reserve over the past few weeks.
Quite nervous birds to approach, hence the distant shot.

wrens show best at this time of year.

23.03.08
a reed bunting, seen here on a cold, grey day, the snow having cleared a little earlier.
Just imagine what a little sunshine could have done for this image.

Walking around the Reserve today in the glorious February sunshine, I counted 23 species of bird. I won’t name them all, but the more interesting sightings were as follows.

Water Rail feeding at the water’s edge
Kingfisher
Grey Wagtail – on main bridge
Heron
Pair of Coots in ‘courting’ mode
Small flock of Siskins in the Alder trees in the ‘Sanctuary’
Jay
Long-tailed tits on birdfeeder

Woodpeckers were heard but not seen.

Several small fish were seen in the main lake.

On the flora side:
Snowdrops, Sweet Violets, Marsh Marigolds and Daffodils are in bloom
Hazel and Alder trees have catkins