An icy day for our World Wetlands Day celebrations, but sightings out on the brooks included white fronted geese, black-tailed godwit, dunlin and a nice range of dabbling ducks. In terms of 'the predators' we saw the juvenile peregrine, a lovely female kestrel and a sparrowhawk. The highlight for me was fabulous views of around 25 snipe, busily feeding in the rushy area in front of the view point between West Mead and Winpenny Hides. They were doing exactly what snipe do best - being superbly camouflaged - until you get your eye in and then suddenly you find them everywhere!
As well as the wetlands, it's well worth a look around the wooded areas of the reserve at the moment - goldcrests and firecrests continue to show in the conifers around fattengates courtyard. Whilst you're there, keep an eye out for mammals as well....
Phil Winter took this lovely photo of a weasel whilst staking out the firecrests!
And crossbills have been showing beautifully on the heathland trail. One of our volunteers, Russ, took some cracking photos of crossbills yesterday
And yes, 'my' water rail is still out and about regularl feasting on mealworms.
Now come along and see them all yourself!