It may not have felt like it this week, with northerly winds and flurries of snow, but winter is gradually drawing to an end and we are completing various tasks before the birds start nest building. It is obvious to me where our team of regular volunteers...

On Tuesday we started cutting reeds to the east of the mere, and it was going really well until the mower head seized up at the end of the morning. We will finish cutting that section tomorrow as part of our weekly work party (always on Thursdays). ...

We will be cutting the reeds to the east and west of the mere on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this coming week. We cut reeds somewhere every winter, but this time the area is larger than in previous years. As well as clearing the fen where lapwings...

Sometimes a winter visit to Fowlmere NR can be unproductive, but not at the moment. Star of the show is the female hen harrier that has been coming in to roost every afternoon since 23rd January. Today it appeared briefly at 4.30pm, went off, and returned...

When I went to the reserve at 8.50am, the roads were clear. Fine powdery snow started falling while I was there, and by the time I left at 9.20am the snow was settling on the single track road between Fowlmere and Melbourn. If you're tempted to...