2591 Species

Since the reserve first came into being in 1992, a record of species has been kept.  To date there are 2591 listed in the data base.  48 were added to the list last year.  Every year I think there can be no more, but I am usually wrong.  I would hope that we can find, at least 25 new species this year!  During our 25th year, we are going to do an audit of our species.  It is highly unlikley that we will be able to find all 2591 of them, but we will see how many we can find.

Some like the Primroses that we are still waiting to flower, can be found easily as we know where they are.

Coltsfoot is another flower the monthly flower walk always want to find in its usual haunts, as it is a harbinger of spring.

Although lichens can be very obvious during the winter their identification is not so obvious.

Insects can prove difficult to find and identify.  This is a weevil, whose survival technique is falling off the leaf if the predator gets too close.  It also applies this method when a camera is around!

Peacock butterflies come out of hibernation from late March, depending on the weather.  Sunny spots suitable for sunbathing are the best places to look for them.

Some animals drop in to see us for a short time and then apparently disappear.  The Tufted Ducks visit the lake then head to the wetland where they breed late in the season.  There they are rarely seen or heard.  Little Grebe remain on the lake but hide in the reeds and feed underwater so sometimes it is 'now you see me now you don't'!