Signs of spring!
Plants which normally flower in March, Magpies building nests, Ringed Plovers returning inland all noted today and all much more familiar in Spring rather than Mid winter! Despite the unusually mild D [...]
Plants which normally flower in March, Magpies building nests, Ringed Plovers returning inland all noted today and all much more familiar in Spring rather than Mid winter! Despite the unusually mild December so far, a new count of Whooper Swans today revealed 1720 the biggest count of the winter but no sign of any Bewick's. Good numbers of Geese again coming in and out of the reserve during the day, with at least 2000 but no reports of any other species today.
Three Peregrines (2 ad & imm) were very noticeable throughout the day, spooking the c1500 Lapwing flock repeatedly and being aggressive towards the 3 Marsh Harriers again. Late news for yesterday was a Barn Owl hunting late afternoon on the reserve.
Good numbers of duck included some lovely groups of Pintails displaying today on the Mere, also at least 1 Goldeneye and c50 Pochard.
TD
