Generally a mild start for the first two weeks in January. If you are looking for the first signs of spring, keep reading!

It's pretty much peak wildfowl on the reserve. New birds can arrive if continental Europe starts to freeze. We do however start to see Pink-footed Geese heading North and West from their wintering grounds in Norfolk with two small groups of 70 and 40 seen in recent days. A Whooper Swan dropped in on the 13th, also likely to be heading North before the leap over to Iceland in spring.

Wildfowl totals have included 24 Mute Swan, 57 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag, 33 Mallard, 94 Gadwall, 93 Wigeon, 86 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 12 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 7 Goldeneye and two Goosander.

Little Grebe has been on the Ribble and a nonbreeding plumage Great-crested Grebe was briefly on Pit no.1.

The Bittern is spending it's time around the reed edges of Meadow Lake. At least 4 Grey Heron and Little Egret present.

A good numbers of Lapwing with at least 250 birds present. Also an impressive count of 120 Snipe. A Jack Snipe has been seen with Common Snipe around the islands on Meadow Lake. A Green Sandpiper continues to winter on the reserve, regularly visiting the recently scraped area on the North bank of Pit No.1. An Oystercatcher flew in on the 13th, an indicator that spring isn't far away!

Good numbers of Black-headed Gull dropping in with 150+ on Pit no.1, also small numbers of Common Gull  Herring Gull and occasional Lesser Black-backed and Great Black-backed Gull. We'll soon be seeing and hearing the first returning Mediterranean Gulls around the reserve.

The usual raptors with 2 Kestrel, 5 Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk seen.

Redwing (60+) and Fieldfare (70+) flocks have been moving around the area. The Ribble View Point can be a good spot for these looking across the river. Blackbird, Song and Mistle Thrush are present.

Two Cetti's Warbler singing. Two Willow Tit were reported at the feeding station in Boilton Wood on the 4th January. Plenty of Reed Bunting visiting the feeding stations. A Reed Bunting caught during a ringing session at the end of the year was a recapture of a bird ringed over 6 years ago on the reserve. Average life expectancy for this species is 3 years.

Other sightings have included 17 Long-tailed Tit, a pair of Bullfinch, Siskin, Collared Dove (rare here), Grey Wagtail and Two Raven (south West).

The Starling murmuration continues to be impressive with at least 15000 birds coming in around 4pm on Pit No.1.

If you are visiting the reserve and would like to know what is around and where the best spots might be or have something to report, feel free to drop into the in focus shop, based in the Lookout and we can point you in the right direction.