Spring is still on its way!

Tuesday, Thursday, worky day and other volunteers have worked hard over the winter and most of the work on 'the list' has been completed.  Many thanks for all your hard work.  The reserve looks a little bare in places, but Spring is on its way!  This is the area between the Scrapes and the lake.  Pollarded trees will soon be sprouting new shoots. 

The newly cut part of the reed bed, near the first pond dipping platform, will soon turn green and be a haven for Moorhen and Reed Bunting. 

Last year an area of Risedale Beck was coppiced and the resulting spring flower display was magnificent!  A further area has been coppiced….

....and already the Primroses are flowering.

Flower buds of Blackthorn won't be too long before they open.  Risedale Beck is the best place to look for the first flowers. 

Dandelions are beginning to show their yellow heads.

The frogs are spawning in many of the ponds on the reserve and they can be found going 'walkabout'.  This one was quite happy walking along a grassy footpath.  The red colour is associated with where they have been hibernating.

At this time of year a lot of patience is required, spring has not arrived just yet - spring is still on its way!