Unbelievably this was my first visit to the always impressive Middleton Lakes RSPB Nature Reserve in six months due to it being flooded and various other reasons. It was still very boggy in places and a large portion of the Lakes still being inaccessible due to the ongoing construction work on the north side to encourage more waders such as the Snipe to visit. So with a large parts of the lakes being out of bounds it was a good time to visit the meadow fields which house the English Longhorn cattle and are very shortly about to be home to some Konik Ponies. The meadows today also had a flock of c.100 Redwing in them feasting in amongst the hedges.
As usual it was great to see the always accommodating Robin, who appeared for some mealworms within seconds of my presence, also enjoying the mealworms, sunflowers hearts and cake were Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch and Dunnock. I also saw and heard my first Chiffchaff of the year. On the lakes there was a good gathering of c.70 Shoveler as well as a pair of Redshank. Also nice to see were Green Woodpecker, Water Rail, Oystercatcher, Goldcrest and Treecreeper.
Birds seen today were, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Song Thrush, Redwing, Green Woodpecker, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Grey Wagtail, Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant (Cock and Hen), Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Water Rail, Redshank, Oystercathcher, Lapwing, Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon, Goosander, Moorhen, Coot, Tufted Duck, Mallard and Canada Goose.
The scent in the air along the woodland trail which leads up to the lakes was awash with the aroma of Wild Garlic (Allium Ursinum) which is an obvious sign of Spring time.
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