Windy Mess.....

Juvenile Common Frog.

Male Smooth Newt.

A lovely early spring scene.

Otter spraint.

Peacock Butterfly.

Marsh Marigold.

A visit to this superb little reserve didn't disappoint today with me seeing some nice birds and another superb,but brief encounter with our native aquatic mustelid.The first highlight of the visit,was my first Swallow of the year seen flying over the second lake,battling against the blustery South west wind,quickly to be followed later by my first House Martin,feeding over the main lake with a decent sized flock of 100 Sand Martin.The House and Sand Mart's gave superb views,hawking insects over the water,a lovely sight and brightened up the day as alway's.Next,was the best sighting of the visit,with me seeing,albeit briefly,a cracking Otter watched catching a fish and then devouring it,superb!!.This is my 3rd of the year so far,with 2 being seen at Barton a few weeks ago.Lets hope the sighting's continue of this beautiful mammal.While watching the Otter,i had heard a brief part of Willow Warbler song and sure enough i found the little beauty singing in an adjacent Hawthorn,this is my first sighting of the year of this returning summer visitor and a personal favourite.Other bird sighting's during the visit included at least 14 Siskin in the plantation,4 Avocet,46 Wigeon,8 Chiffchaff and 5 northbound Redwing.Insects were represented by singles of Peacock Butterfly and Small Tortoiseshell and i enjoyed my first Common Frog sighting of the year along with 12 Smooth Newt in the small woodland pond in the Pine plantation.An excellent visit to this cracking little reserve!.