Adult Yellow-legged Gull spotted on the flooded grazing marsh this morning
2 Bittern - reservoir lagoon N shore (opposite wildside hide), main lake N shore
1 Yellow-legged Gull adult - marsh
2 Shelduck - main lake
The grazing marsh and scrape are best for watching wintering Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon. Listen for bird song across the reserve with Song Thrush, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Robin and Cetti's Warbler being particularly vocal at the moment.
February bird highlights: Bittern(3), Goldeneye, Yellow-legged Gull, Iceland Gull, Caspian Gull, Water Rail, Jack Snipe, Water Pipit(2), Siskin, Chiffchaff.
Reptiles: Common Lizard recorded 1st February.
Early flowering plants: Marsh Marigold, Cowslip, Ragwort, Daisy, Winter Aconite, Snowdrop, Hazel, Primrose, Stinking Hellebore, Butcher's Broom, Gorse, Early Crocus, Meadow Buttercup, Wild Plum, Blackthorn, Sallow.
Insects: (January) Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Red Admiral, Non-biting Midge species.