Finally been able to get to the Mosaic reserve at the Austerfield study centre and have a decent walk around. It's been a while what with winter taking it's time to give up and let spring have a go.
I went the long way round and explored every path possible, starting at the main road beside the study centre and walking clockwise around the perimeter, then zig-zagged through the centre past all the ponds. So glad i did. So many birds calling and busy with their nests. Really excited to find a Cuckoo egg shell. Not heard it yet but the shell means they are laying somewhere within the reserve.
Down by the main pond the Carp were so busy top feeding they were oblivious to me getting to within a few feet of them. Slurping away around the weeds and looking like torpedo's. Great to see them. Although very disheartened to see so much rubbish left behind by fisherman. Take it home eh.
Ducks were plenty and enjoying the floods. I was also really pleased to come across a three foot Grass Snake basking in the sun before it slithered off into the undergrowth.
Saw plenty of Rabbits around with a few young. Multiple small birds including Blackcaps. Green Woodpeckers laughing their way through the woods. Also Buzzards circling overhead and Kestrels hovering in the nearby fields. Nothing obvious using the nest boxes dotted around but i didn't get close enough to study them and I didn't hang around long enough to see anything in and out so they may have occupants. Fingers crossed. The big gnarly Oaks coming in to leaf and the abundance of Birch gives this place a real atmospheric ambience. A real gem of a nature reserve. One you should try and visit. Make sure you walk every trail and look in every pond. Look up, and listen out. Wildlife is all around you. But please, leave only footprints and take your litter home.
Thanks for the read.
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