Some of our early breeders are already feeding young, like our blue tits in our nestbox – check them out on our camera inside our shop when you next visit.  Most are just beginning to attract a mate, build a nest and settle down on their eggs.

Lets start by looking at our spring arrival sheet, updated today.  Most appear to be arriving back on schedule this year. 

Now is a great time to wander around our trails listening to singing birds.  Listen out for our nightingales at the start of our blue and red trails (mornings from 8am to 11am are best for these).  Blackcaps are very vocal right now all around our reserve.  Garden warblers have a similar call to blackcap – around our blue trail is best for these.  In the reeds listen to the reed warbler calling from deep within the reeds – you don’t often see them though.  Whitethroats are best around our red trail. 

Listen out also for our cuckoo around the reserve.  He appears to do a circuit around the reserve sometimes near the centre, at other times near Bernard’s hide and then the occasional visit to the Eastern lakes.

Poorer weather days when it is windy and rainy are particularly good days to watch swallows, house martins and swifts.  On these days, they need to fly closer to the water to find insects to feed on and by doing this allows great views of the amazing aerial birds.  Spend a moment looking over the sailing lake when you next visit and you can admire these birds.  Our first swifts appear to be settling into one of our boxes – we will update you when we know more.

Bird of prey wise, after a fantastic start to April things appear a little quieter.  Look out for the occasional red kite and buzzard flying over.  Hobby are now back and again look over the sailing lake to see if you can spot one.

Wader wise – April saw visits from a wide range of waders so each day can be different so check out the slough from the viewpoint next to Pauls hide and you never know what you may see.  In recent days common sandpiper, dunlin and lapwing were present.

On sunny days we are seeing a few butterflies around and our first damselfly (large red-damselfly).  With warmer days coming in the next few weeks, hopefully we will start to see lots more of these around the reserve.  Butterfly wise look out for orange-tip, speckled wood and comma.

I will finish with a quick update on what is open.  The reserve is currently open 8am to 5pm with the shop, takeaway catering and toilets available from 10am to 3:30pm.  The hides remain closed – hopefully these will open later this month.