Staring with the birds.  Chiffchaff returned from around the 11^th of March and can be heard singing their name (chiff-chaff) all over the reserve now.  In last few days, blackcap have returned and are beginning to tune up in a few locations on the reserve.  More should be with us in the next few weeks.  They join many of our regular birds singing around the reserve as the get ready for the coming breeding season.  Listen out for robin, dunnock, wren, blue tit and great tit when you next wonder around the lakes.  As we move into April, many of the warblers start to return.  Here is expected spring arrival times for our spring birds.

On the lakes, great crested grebes are back with their amazing headgear and shelducks are chasing each other around.  Other waders still around are snipe, oystercatcher and lapwing, but it is worth a closer look around the islands on the slough from the viewpoint next to Paul’s hide as other waders like avocet do pop in at this time of year.  Our duck numbers are beginning to drop off as they leave us to return to northern Europe but we still have plenty of tufted duck and teal around.

Our centre feeders are still busy with birds feeding away and a few siskin and redpoll are still here.  These amazing small birds have been a feature of the last few months.  Most will leave us in the next few weeks.

Another sign of spring, is watching as the trees begin to grow and green leaves slowly emerge.  Our blackthorn is just beginning to come out and some of our willows are nice and yellow with their catkins.  These in turn attract our first butterflies like brimstone and already quite a few insects like bees so when you next stand near ones of these, stop, listen and watch what is feeding on these trees.

Currently, the reserve is open from 8am to 5pm.  The toilets and takeaway catering is available from 10am to 3:30pm. 

We are hoping that the shop will be able to open from the 12^th April but you can buy online and collect from the takeaway hatch.  Hides remain closed for now.  We expect them to open from 17^th May, unless government advice changes.