Spring is on its Way!

At the meeting yesterday people recorded what they felt was important to them about Foxglove and there were many positive comments including the wildlife, magical, special and always something new.  Out walking at the break, a sound caught my ear - one of those magical moments - the first time I had heard the Common Frogs croaking this spring!

The males arrive back at their spawning ponds first and call in the females.  They 'lie' almost on the surface of the water and croak.

The bird ringers were busy today.  Over 100 birds were processed.  Discussion took place about the different species being caught.  For example, we used to catch many Chaffinches and Bullfinches but today there were few.  Siskins and Redpolls (they used to be called Lesser Redpolls) took their place. 

Whilst ringing we watched the back garden feeder outside the kitchen.  As the Nyger seeds went down in the feeder, so the displays of the Siskins increased!  Glass is not the best of things to try to get a good photograph through but you can see the Siskins and a Redpoll feeding.

Sightings of species are increasing.  Greylag Geese flew over the reserve calling. Seven Grey Heron were seen on the wetland.  Unfortunately they seem to know that it is time for the frogs to appear from hibernation.  A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming.  Roe Deer have been spotted.  Apples put out for the Water Voles have been taken by other species but  a Water Vole had a good feed reducing the apple by half and was then seen leaving a dropping on the platform!

Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage continues to open its small yellow flowers along the beckside and a bud of Primrose was spotted.  Cuckoo Pint leaves are well through the leaf litter and Bluebell leaves are just beginning to appear.  Spring is on its way.