Blue sky and pink sky!

Volunteers have been extremeley busy again on the reserve. Bird feeders were filled, brash was cleared at the lake and even the Field Centre and back garden received some much needed TLC. Thank you to everyone for giving your time.

This photo, taken by Elizabeth this morning, shows how clear the bank is now after all the recent work. The area on the left hand side of this picture will be re-profiled before the spring in order to enhance this habitat for wildlife. This is part of the work funded by Natural England through the HLS (Higher level stewardship contract). A larger water body will benefit many species of wildlife including birds and dragonflies. This work has been carefully planned and many surveys, including an ecological one, have been carried out. Over the next few weeks, the water level will be lowered in preparation for vital groundworks and the banks will be monitored for the presence of Water Vole. The solar panel and mast on the hides are needed to relay live pictures from the hides to the new large screen inside the Field Centre.

Blue sky at last! The area that is often referred to as the 'scrapes' is very well established now and it is difficult to imagine it as a blank area of mud being carved out by diggers, as it was in the early days of the site's development. Although the lake area is going to be a mess over the next few weeks as the banks are altered, the long term benefits will be huge for both wildlife and visitors. We apologise for any disruption in advance and please bear with us, it will be worth it!

The final wisps of smoke from Mike and Tony's bonfire can be seen here with the much improved view accross to the hide from the new outdoor classroom. The frost has stayed all day and what a beautiful pink sky!

There have been plenty of Bramblings around in the back garden today and Great Spotted Woodpeckers have been seen (and heard) in the back garden along with no less than nine Blackbirds (both male and female)!