The dawn chorus at Captain’s Wood is glorious at this time of year. Andrew Excell, South East Sites Manager, was delighted to record bramblings singing this week. “This isn't something we get to hear often in the UK as these overwintering finches depart to breed in northern Europe. These ones were clearly all ready to breed and vocalising as such just before heading north. On the audio clip they're the wheezy nasal note that is frequently repeated.” Amongst the other birdsong you can hear several wrens singing their hearts out, along with blackbirds and rooks.

Dan Doughty, Assistant Warden, was delighted by this nightingale singing at Church Farm this week. A shy bird, the nightingale is about the same size as a robin and a summer visitor, arriving in the UK in April and leaving in September. Nightingales nest in dense scrub, from where they sing their famously beautiful melodies throughout the day and at night.

The secretive woodlark, whose delicate song is heard here on this video clip as a sound track to a grazing Exmoor Pony on Knettishall Heath, favours open, dry habitats with short grasses. Mostly, it is a resident bird, feeding on seeds and insects, but does move to farmland stubbles for the autumn and early winter. Woodlark usually nest within a grassy tussock or heather bush, often digging a shallow scrape. Scattered trees and woodland edges are used as song or lookout posts.

Dan Doughty took these stunning images of the early morning frost at Darsham Marshes this week. Nestled within the Minsmere River Valley, Darsham Marshes is a classic marshland site that has been traditionally managed for many years in order to maintain and restore its diverse mix of flora and fauna.

Trimley Marshes is famous for its exceptional birdlife, but the reserve is also a haven for many other species. Recently a group of nine hares was counted, and this week Warden Charlie McMurray discovered this former hornets’ nest when restoring an old bird box. Also, this curious common lizard seemed to be keeping a watchful eye on the midweek volunteer work party!

Moles are very rarely seen as they spend most of their lives underground. They are stocky animals, with a wedge-shaped body and short tail. They use their spade-like paws to dig tunnels and hunt for their favourite meal of earthworms. They also like to eat underground grubs that would usually feed off crops, so moles can help to control them. The video below, taken by Assistant Warden David Stansfield, shows just that! David said ‘By digging up the earth, moles help make the soil healthier by aerating it and in turn wake seed banks and provide seed beds for plants which can support and feed more insects. Not only this, their tunnels improve soil drainage, which helps stop flooding and huge puddles forming on the ground. Moles truly are the unsung heroes of the animal world!’