Mist Upon The Mere

Such a quiet morning. The trees are barely moving. A chill mist hangs over the mere. Then somebody starts up a chainsaw....

That will be someone from the RSPB, who run this reserve, tidying up some fallen branches. They'll burn up the small twigs and ivy and stack the remaining wood to provide a home for insects - if you want to attract birds you'll need to have the insects that they feed on.

The mechanical racket soon ceases and all returns to quietness and stillness. I always find it tricky taking photos on days like this; colours are so subtle and the light so gentle and fleeting.

Soon we find one of our quieter birds, a Treecreeper. It's a small, unobtrusive little soul that's perfectly adapted for climbing up tree trunks and probing the cracks in the bark for tiny grubs and insects. It proceeds in a spiral up one tree, then flies down to the bottom of the next one and begins the process once more. They are not rare, just hard to notice.

Some of the areas of still water are frozen over, but the many natural springs here keep other parts ice-free.

Another hard-to-spot bird is making itself known in the reeds by emitting a series of pig-like squeals. It's a sound that can only be a Water Rail - or else a pig! In icy conditions the chances of seeing a Water Rail are greatly increased as they venture out from their usual haunts, deep in the reedbeds, in search of food.

Just then one runs across the path a little way in front of us before disappearing into the reeds once more.

The alder trees look wonderful at this time of year. Those are not leaves on the branches but thousands of tiny cones which provide winter food for flocks of Goldfinches and Siskins - and maybe a Redpoll or two.

Just as we're completing our circuit of the mere the chainsaw starts up once more. Time to head for home but not before meeting the reserve's latest celebrity....

This colourful cockerel has taken up residence in the car park and fondly imagines that every visitor has some food for him. If he develops enough road-sense to survive winter he'll make a good living around the picnic tables later in the year.

Take care.