I'm sure that caught your attention, I spent the morning on the Frances Finn BBC radio Nottingham show yesterday and within 10 minutes I'd managed to leave her speechless as I stated the cold winter can be bad for your tits.
Luckily I was able to explain the easily misunderstood scenario, and we talked more on the perils of cold frozen temperatures for long tailed tits, kingfishers and even the Langford wintering bittern - providing a nice plug for Morrisons, with the half-price sprats we used for supplementary feeding.
If you would like to 'listen again' then pop on the BBC radio Nottingham website - click the listen again box and select the Frances Finn morning program on the 28th of April. The interview starts at 37 minutes into the slot, just after Phil Collins 'She's an easy lover' - magic!
I had a quick run out on the reserve in the evening and in 15 minutes had clocked the female marsh harrier, had a glorious view of a yellow wagtail strutting up and down the grass banks, and then heard the familiar screeching of terns - common terns.
Only on tuesday had myself and Graham Gamage been wondering where the common terns had got to as many have been spotted in the coounty already, so very pleasing to have 3 birds screeching and wheeling around the Phase 1 reedbed, but will they breed?...
Just a quick note to keep you up to date with the marsh harrier, this morning myself and the volunteers were entertained by not just 2 marsh harrier but 3!
It appears the male has managed to draw the attention of 2 females one of which seems to be making herself at home in the heart of the reedbed. There was some dazzling aerial displays between all three birds as the male engaged in his best courtship flight. The male is only a sub-adult in appearance but clearly has black tips to the wings and light underbelly compared to the females chocolate brown plumage.
If that wasn't enough to keep us busy the first hobby appeared, with another individual joining in the early afternoon, swooping over the hedgerows and reeds. The 5 raptors were then joined by 2 buzzards circling over reserve, whilst 2 male cuckoo were fighting in mid-air above the singing sedge and reed warblers.
Things are really warming up here with new records all the time, and what cracking raptor day it turned out to be, with 2 clearly being the magic number!
Another busy week with some fabulous birds, the cuckoo are calling well from all corners of the reserve, grasshopper warblers now number four at least, and today whilst checking the water levels I was pleased to meet two whimbrel sifting through the bare mud on Phase 2.
But without doubt the best sighting of the week goes to John Ellis, Julie Straw and Graham Gamage for spotting a tree pipit flitting amongst the scrub along the footpath at the North end of the reserve. A new record for the site and a welcome addition to the growing list of species.
I must say the end of the day was a real treat, the usual evening stroll was electrified by stunning views of both the male and female marsh harrier gliding and swooping over the reedbed as the sun set in the background. Its very encouraging to see what appears to be a new pair forming, which might well be a first for this part of the world.
Just spent the evening paddling through the reedbed at Langford, and had a gorgeous sunset - guess it must be something to do with that volcanic dust!
The sedge warblers have started dropping in and are parachuting over bramble thickets, there were 5 buzzards circling over the reserve earlier in the day, whilst a movement of snipe totalled 37 before dusk. Numerous lapwing, redshank and little ringed plover have set up territories, whilst other waders on site include green sandpiper, greenshank, and a single common sandpiper.
As the sun dipped below the horizon I was luckily in the right place to hear the reeling call of our first grasshopper warbler, and I'm sure the reed warblers won't be far behind now.
There has been sightings of both male and female marsh harrier over the last week, with the male spotted gliding over the reeds on thursday by Keith Stedman. Next up should be the cuckoo - we totalled 5 last year, so hopefully they will come in force again as this spring migrant is now on the red list, and becoming rare in Nottinghamshire.
Out for the afternoon walk amongst the peacock buttlerflies, willow warblers, and female kestrel to check the water vole rafts, so I thought I would take a few pictures.
At this time of year some of the most striking species are splashed with the colour yellow from brimestone butterflies to dapper male yellowhammer, so I've got five testers for you...
If you know the answers or fancy a stab, pop your answers in a comment and I'll draw a winner out for the next volunteer work party you may even get a yellow prize!...
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
and finally...
No. 5
Good Luck!