Spring has sprung on the reserve!

What a difference a bit of sunshine & warmth can make – not only to ourselves, but for wildlife!

The first really warm day of the year coincided with our last real habitat management job of the season – building up islands on Old Squaw Lake. On a warm, sunny day, the team headed out on boats, laden with cobbles & cockleshell, & began building up a third island on the lake. Next time you pass, take a look from the Lake Hide to see the three islands (currently being used by Oystercatchers & Black-headed Gulls).

After a wet winter many of the paths through the woodland have become wet & muddy. An annual spring task is to top these paths with fresh woodchip. This is a job for wheelbarrows, shovels & rakes. A hard task, but rewarding; easing access through muddy sections, whilst also having a natural looking finish.

Our Longhorn Cattle continue grazing behind the scenes on meadows adjacent to the river. The six sheep have now moved onto the Wensum Wetland, where they will top off new growth, keeping conditions ideal for nesting Lapwing & Oystercatcher – look for them from the Wetland Hide.

Our 100th bird species for the year was an unexpected Short-eared Owl (our first site record since 2018) & other highlights over the month included 2 Ravens, Green Sandpiper, as well as both a male & female Hen Harrier.

Wildlife is responding to the warmth & longer daylight hours. Up to 15 Avocet have been spotted on the Waderscrape alongside Black-headed Gulls & the occasional Med Gull. Lapwing & Oystercatcher are paired up & nest prospecting at the Waderscrape & Wensum Wetland. Up to four Chiffchaffs have been adding to the morning bird song across the site. We should see (& hear!) more summer bird migrants arriving, including Blackcap, Sand Martins, Little Ringed Plover, & Sedge Warbler.

More flowers are blooming, including Coltsfoot, Ground-ivy & Dog Violets, & with them our pollinators: Brimstone, Peacock & Comma Butterflies, as well as Buff-tailed & White-tailed Bumblebees have all been spotted on warmer days. Frogs & Toads can be seen in the wetter areas & the first frogspawn was spotted in the Glade Sculpture Garden. As the days become longer & warmer, more wildlife should appear, making it a perfect time to go for a walk (even a short one) through this amazing reserve!

Images – David Roberts