The weathermen, TV and newspapers seem to have gone a bit over the top with the current cold weather and their usual doom and gloom. But its actually quite mild here down on the Sands at the moment, even almost bathing weather in fact. My old dear departed Grandfather certainly would have laughed, as when he was a lad he used to bath in the canal by breaking the ice, just to toughen himself up, a typical Barnsley lad! Not sure I'm quite up to that as I lived down south for a while, but the birds certainly are, with a notable increase in the number of ducks on site at the moment including one of my favourites the colourful wigeon. Lets hope it brings in one of the many smew that are wondering about the countryside at the moment, its a long time since we had a white nun on the lagoons!
Changes in the weather always seem to bring about some spectacular senery on the reserve and the photo below is a fantastic contrast between two cloud formations, the wolds and the reedbed. If only I could paint but I'm afraid with my current talents it would turn out to be a bit of a Jackson Pollock.
Bird wise the reserve is still holding a good range of species with Bittern seen on the weekend along with daily hen and marsh harriers, merlin and barn owl. The cetti's is still lurking around the hide area but it can be mobile as can be the same said for the water pipits. However, they do regularly fly around Singleton so listen out for their wist wist call.
A good supporting cast of squeeling water rails, tree sparrows, pochards, gadwalls and four ruff today give a hint that bird numbers are building up and notably there was no sign of ice on the lagoons this morning! Probably (in)famous last words but we shall have to wait and see.
A nice reward for one of the Koniks was an appearance in Fell Pony Express! (Contact his agent for more details) An American publication for Fell pony enthusiasts including apparently Her Madge the Queen! A long story but nice to have the Sands Ponies promote conservation grazing over the pond in the USA, even if they would prefer Fell ponies! (who by the way sound and look like a very nice pony that would prove to be almost as good as the Koniks)