Both are being regularly seen on the reserve this winter. 2 bittern, one female
smew.

The part I was mentioning was west of the end of Brinscall woods and before the bridge onto the fells east of White Coppice (the path where the Green Hairstreak are seen in that little clough)

2 kingfisher and a dipper showing well this morning despite the awful weather. Has anyone ever seen Water Vole along there? I heard a plop but couldn't see anything, may just have been a pebble I unknowingly kicked in I suppose!

On Withnell nature reserve on the left hand side of the path . 50/100 yards west of the gate where the path goes to Abbey Village from WIthnell

After trailing all over our county to see this plant today I have discovered 3 patches of them growing along the nature trail between Withnell and Brinscall (about 400 yards away from my house!)

Walked up to the fells via WIthnell Villa and over towards Great Hill before turning at the path junction and going down to White Coppice and followed the fellside path until Heatherlea where I joined the Goit path. Birds seen/heard included Skylark, Stonechat, Dipper and several sightings and sound...

No mark it was much to skinny and ran very fast like a gecko, ie one opposite leg after another!

Just out checking on hogs when a creature about 6 inches long dashed across my patio. Gait was similar to a gecko ie running alternate legs. Baby squirrel, lizard?? Yes I have had a drink, but not that much! Really now do need to get a wildlife camera!

Otter seen on the reserve twice in the last week, Wood Warbler seen today in Boilton Wood, not a common sighting on the reserve. Larva of White-letter and Purple Hairstreak seen giving confirmation that both species actually do breed on site and several new bee and hoverfly species recorded this Spr...

Still present on Meadow Lane

There has been a male Gargany on Meadow lake for the past few days. Usually seen beneath the osprey pole

One in my back garden tonight

Just heard a Little Owl flying above my house in Withnell!

Definate confirmation of a marsh tit in Boilton wood. 2 bitterns confirmed and eggs of white letter hairstreak and purple hairstreak butterflies found. An exciting week on the reserve!

Bittern or rather Bitterns showing well today both on Meadow Lake and No 1 Pit