Pond digging

Work started at today's working party on the new pond on site and it seems that quite a bit of the local wildlife has already moved in. Several newts were spotted in the new pond, in addition to the pond skater seen on the surface. As we were digging and using the soil to level footpaths and fill in other holes this small frog was also found in the grass.

I know they say that nature will often be quick to colonise new ponds, but I didn't think it would be this quick!

Outside sightings board

Sightings board

There is now a 'sightings' board in
the bird hide so interested parties
can see what wildlife has been
around in recent weeks. Any
comments will then be recorded
into a sightings book. Sorry it is
such a poor photo - the flash
kept going off as it is so dark
in the bird hide! There is also
a small 'sightings' blackboard
on the outside of the hide which
doubles up as an announcement
board for events and working
party details.

Spring has Sprung

A balmy day at the reserve today. I can almost feel the plant life spring back up. The kingfisher was extremely accommodating - perching in the sun close to me. This is a male as the whole bill is black. A female would have a red lower bill (though juvenile males have some red on the lower bill).

hardy aren't they?

snowdrops that is.

27.01.09
here is a picture taken before the recent snowfall.

I looked at the spot where the snowdrops stood during the snow, and all there was to see, was . .
. . snow, indeed, they must have been squashed by the weight.

12.02.09
Once the snow had cleared, what do we see?
You guessed it, snowdrops, seemingly little troubled by the conditions.

12.02.09
caught the song thrush again, so nice to see, and hear of course.

12.02.09
recently blue tits have been showing signs of interest in the nestboxes, I backed away from them to avoid interrupting them at this critical point in their year.

12.02.09
showing well, a blackbird

12.02.09
a robin, always charming, picking up seeds under the feeders.

whiteboard

Colourful Characters

The Redwing that Keith saw are apparently sticking around at least a little bit. Here's one that was rummaging around in the leaf litter and the snow at the back of the reserve.



This is the first time I've seen signs of the more colourful summer plumage on the little grebe. Maybe it's just growing up, and it represents more of a transition from juvenile to adult, as it's a long way from summer out there!



Finally, if you ever wondered what a sparrow's tongue looks like, wonder no more.