Rainy Day at The Reserve

A wet but relatively warm day 10 o and high Humidity 99% . Flow on the River was High  on the weir side of the reserve .Midges where seen flying near the Bailey Briidges which will be good for the many insectivorous birds as they change their diet from seed to insect. Willow Warbler will soon return in Spring and they too will be dependent on the many hoverflies hatching from the brackish water. Heron was seen at its usual location but seemed distressed by another large skip fire close to its site

Seed was depositted on the Bird Feeding area which rapidly attracted Male and Female Bullfinch who very soon will be nibbling on the tender tree buds of spring, Great Tit Blue Tit Robin and Blackbird quickly moved in for tucker

Numerous Gulls where seen flying on tight circuits on the River below the large Pylon opposite side of River near Lagoon One, They where also seen loing for food on the Waterski lake circa 70 - 80 Birds likely blown inland with the windy weather

The River section shows the scars of recent erosive effect from the power of water which will no doubt create an admirable bank habitat for natures creatures later in the season . The small pock marks toward the water line are likely small gravel rock or stones dropping out of the weaker sand layers. There is still much strewn plasttic along areas of the River which will need clearing at some point

 The Sandy deposits already show the young cotyledons (leaf pairs) of Balsam

as expected this is a good time to observe Lichens, (  such as Cladonias , Dog Lichen  )Mosses  and other Bryophytes . Brittle Mosses Ulota sp are looking green and will darken and become brittle as the name suggests later in the season, The warm humid weather is also good for slime moulds (Myxomycetes) and other similar fungi