A pair of Canada Geese have arrived on the big pond, they arrived on Tuesday morning and left by lunchtime. I thought they must have stopped for a rest on there way elsewhere but no they are back again. they must like our little pond! Spending most of their time on our Dunces Corner Pond island.

Our Little Grebe took exception to these interlopers on its territory and made at least three attacks. The geese just ignored it!

To counter my previous post which was a little sad I thought I should post a few pictures of life returning to the reserve following the dormancy of winter. So here they are:-

My trail camera on the large pond picked up a new visitor last night, an Otter!

I never expected to see an otter on the pond so quickly after it was constructed. It was only a fleeting view but very satisfying.

Sadly when I arrived on the reserve this morning there was a body floating on the main pond!

I had to wait until the wind blew it to shore before I discovered what it was. There was a Little Grebe feeding on the pond and sadly it looks like it’s partner may have hit the power lines which partly cross the pond.

I have spoken with NationalGrid and they are coming to survey the power lines over the pond with a view to fitting ‘bird diverters’. I think these are the big plastic balls you see on some powerlines. Hopefully this may prevent, or at least reduce. the chance of a bird strike.

I eventually got around to beginning the painting of the classroom, only about 2 years after I intended. I decided to base the colour scheme on my camo trousers and I’m happy to take any comments, good or bad! I have done one wall with the intention of completing the rest in the same style, unless the people speak and say NO!!

Two more sides no completed, I cannot complete the final wall as my tree sparrows have taken up residence in the bird boxes along that wall!

This week the pupils from Collingwood school have been helping on the Reserve.

On Tuesday Ethan, Jake and teacher Ben helped put up a fence/screen, at Dunces Corner Hide, using pallets and Reed.

Today we had a class of 8 and they helped with putting wood chips on a path.

A good bit of work before they start their two week Easter break.

The last two days our frogs and toads have been croaking there hearts out. Lots of amphibian activity so hopefully a good crop of spawn!

Noise from all three ponds so that’s a good sign, I’ll keep my eyes open and try and keep Mr & Mrs Heron from hoovering the pond!

Thanks to Geoff the fencer for a fine job putting in about 300m of stock fence at the Southern boundary of the reserve. An even bigger thanks to Ross Blackburn at RBB for sponsoring the fence.

Hopefully it will keep the scrambler bikes, atv’s and dog walkers out of the reserve at this end. It might save a few of our ground nesting birds such as snipe, woodcock, wren, grey partridge and pheasant which are in the reserve at the moment.

Its amazing what a Ceasar salad wrap can attract!!

Many thanks to Clare at Collingwood School for arranging the funding, through Morrisons Community Fund, for our spanking new classroom roof.

Thanks to David Swannell and his crew for doing a grand job installing the roof.

No more buckets in the middle of the classroom when it rains, hurrah!