Small amounts of both frog and toad spawn in the small lodge at Birkacre on Tuesday 27th March

On the way home from an excellent field trip to Marshside today - thanks David for organising the event :D, I went down Eyes Lane to see the River Douglas at such a high tide. Birds on/by the river viewed from the bailey bridge inc. 4 shelduck, 5 mallard, 2 canadas, 1m +2f goosanders, 1 moorhen, 3 o...

They were definitely toads Nora and at the usual place. Last year after the lodge was cleaned out and the flag platforms laid for the fishermen, there were only about 10 pairs of toads. Pleased to see many more this year. Thanks for the info.

Any idea what species of bat?

Visit mainly to look for frogs and spawn. None seen but I would have expected them by now in the small/fishing lodge. Now 6 mute swans, 2 adult + 4 juv

No frogs or spawn were seen at Birkacre on Friday 2nd March. Some frogs and many toads are usually found in the small/fishing lodge. I spoke to Frank the ranger and he confirmed no frogs yet.

Large bumble bee in garden on 28th February. Unlike the one I saw on 5th Feb, this time I had a good look at the bee and identified it as Bombus terrestris.

I didn't record as many birds as you or Phil last week, on way to see the snowdrops but I did see one rabbit and some fine Jews ear fungi on a fallen log. Lots of molehills on the lawn at Bank Hall and even between the snowdrops.

Snowdrops still making a fine display on 11th.

Bumble bee flying around in the sunshine. I wonder if it survived the snow. Same day 22 woodpigeons in a tree in Astley Park viewed from the garden plus 3 more feeding in the garden. I was pleased the 22 others didn't join them even though it would have looked good on the garden bird record form!

G S woodpeckers have been drumming in Astley Park since mid January.

27th January

Yarrow Valley Park Birkacre, near Big Lodge SD 572149

2 gc grebes, one still in winter plumage but other in breeding plumage doing some head bobbing. 2 male tufted, 2 ad + 1 juv m swans, 1 cormorant. 2 nice groups of velvet shank fungi on sawn down tree by 2nd bridge. Hazel catkins.

At White Coppice on 5th Jan, there was a bramble bush still with some flowers as well as a few blackberries. In Astley Park on 30th Dec 2006 there was some hogweed still in flower.

Little Grebe on no. 8 lodge by cricket field.

Still some fungi on the cricket field including meadow, scarlet, yellow and parrot waxcaps