An Almost Winter Day!

There were some beautiful skies to be seen during the day as the rain, sleet and hail showers past over the reserve.

The cold weather did not prevent visitors enjoying walking around.  A group from the RSPB Conference in York, led by their Vice President Professor Sir John Lawton, had guided walks through the reserve and finished at the Field Centre for a welcome cup of tea.  Thank you to everyone who helped make this an enjoyable visit.

Warmth and sun are in short supply but the flowers are still in bloom and the trees are bursting their buds.  Around the reserve the white flowers of the cherry trees can be seen.  Their blossom is short lived and soon the petals will fall.

Some of the catkins on the willow trees suffered badly in the snow last week, but there are some just starting to flower.  If you look closely at this flower you can see the pollen on the stamens.  When it is warm both the hive bees and the bumble bees collect this pollen.