A Wander Around
The thaw has really set in and much of the snow has melted, but turning the corner every so often, snow was still to be found.
Although I was told I was being pessimisitc, the old wives tale 'if there is still snow in the hedge back, then there is more to come', did cross my mind.
Although the reserve is still in the grip of winter there is life around. Birdsong could be heard as we walked around, from Great Tit to Mallard and Buzzard to Greylag Geese. Two Greylags were spotted on the lake.
The male Mallards are in full breeding plumage and their green heads are iridescent. These two were on the area where food is spread for the waterfowl. You can just see the female hidden behind the vegetation.
This male was alone and although I looked for a female, her camouflage was too good for me to pick her out amongst the reeds.
Feeders in the back garden were busy with Siskin, Redpoll, Long-tailed Tits, Great Spotted Woodepecker, Bullfinch and Blackbirds, to name just a few. It was mentioned that the Fieldfares had cleared a tree near the Voley Pond of berries at the weekend. They have also removed every berry off the Holly on the moor.
Lapwing and Grey Heron were seen flying across the moor.
Leaves of Greater Stitchwort, Lesser Celandine and Nettle are just beginning to show. Primroses have withstood the snow, and hiding behind one clump was a flower of Barren Strawberry.
Another flower that opens its buds at this time of year is Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage. The first flowers are seen along the beck running from the Voley Pond. If the weather stays not cold then soon the banks will be yellow.
Waiting in the wings are the buds of Blackthorn.
Vistas are different when the leaves are not on the trees and the Stone Circle could be seen from the path near the head of the lake.
Three Spined Sticklebacks were recorded in the ponds but as yet no Frog activity. More species were added to the Observation Board back in the Field Centre. Thank you to everyone who helped today, to wander around.