Probably due to the recent unseasonal weather the birds and the plants are gearing up for spring here at Burton Mere Wetlands.
Several great spotted woodpeckers are drumming whilst all the other resident woodland birds are singing including robins, blackbirds and a song thrush. The rooks are already starting to inspect last years nests and their version of the dawn chorus is increasing the noise factor.
Out on the scrape some of the black-headed gulls have acquired their "black-headed" breeding plumage (can't wait to see if they form a colony). The little grebes that nested last year have returned whilst the tufted ducks tufts are getting more and more majestic each day. Two redshank were even seen "bobbing" at each other ..... a clear sign that they like each other.
One of the over-wintering chiffchaffs has been seen with increasing regularity giving a glimpse of what the walk to Marsh Covert hide will be like in a few months. I predict wall-to-wall warblers (patent pending!).
Meanwhile, in the plant world we have some red campion and gorse flowering close to the visitor buildings.
With the Sun shining and temperatures in double figures it gives us a sneek preview of just how good the place will be in Spring. I for one can't wait :)
Recent sightings - The numbers of European White-fronted geese are fairly stable at around 50 and the goose list for this year increased yesterday as a single dark-bellied brent goose was seen feeding on our barley stubble. Elsewhere on the marshes at Parkgate there could possibly be 4 great white egrets!