Is it me or is everything early this year? We had snowdrops in the garden flowering before Christmas, bumblebees on my winter honeysuckle and one of our volunteers saw a strongly flying peacock butterfly this morning. When I poked my nose outside before WeBS (the water bird survey) yesterday birds were in full song. The forecast was mist and rain and they were right for a change! Fortunately, by the time we had driven to Diddington village, the rain was easing. The mist stayed with us and the scopes were definitely required to count the large number of wigeon, pochard, coot and tufties. I watched a male goldeneye displaying to 3 females. Cormorants are in breeding plumage. I counted 80 up in the trees of Heronry South a few days ago, as they came into roost. Marsh harriers are staying on the reserve this winter. Let’s hope they find somewhere to nest locally and stay around.
We never hurry our WeBS walk as there is so much to see. Our sociable group of 7 stopped to watch other birds as well. My highlight was 2 pairs of stonechats sitting on top of the bramble bushes and having a good view of a Cetti’s warbler, normally heard, but not seen. It was a bullfinch that we heard and couldn’t see! Also, lots of long tailed tits following each other along the edge of the lakes and a kingfisher flew in front of one of the hides.
The reserve has generally been dry, and I think it is one reason that there have been less fungi fruiting this winter. I haven’t seen a scarlet elf cup fungus yet on the reserve. Have you? Something I have seen more of are lichen. They seem particularly bright in the winter on the bare tree branches. They are an interesting subject for macro photography.
You may have seen smoke rising from a bonfire on the lower meadow, which has been renamed Foxtail Meadow. Named not because of foxes seen there, but because of the grass whose seed head looks like a fox’s tail! Both the Ranger and Friend’s work parties have been coppicing the willow to open up the area again. Eventually, the stumps will be taken out to enlarge the watery area behind the screen that can be accessed from the Ouse Valley Way. This area is important for unusual freshwater invertebrates, more usually seen in the Fens. Our next big job is planting a large number of trees, which are arriving this week. If you fancy coming out to help, please contact me through the Friends email address- friends@paxton-pits.org.uk.wildlife
Happy wildlife watching in 2026.
Ann 19.1.26