The toads are back

This week spring finally arrived at RSPB Blacktoft Sands with the return of the toads.  They are a full month late this year in what has been a very late start of spring on the reserve.  When they arrived, the arrived in numbers - with toads all over the place.  They can be found in the pools, in the ditch in front of reception and along the trails (so visitors need to watch where they walk).

We are not sure what the water vole makes of these invaders in its ditch.  It was seen today, chasing the toads in the ditch in front of reception.  The water vole continues to make daily appearances from reception.

This week has seen more signs of spring with the return of many birds from Africa (where they spend the winter) to spend the summer at Blacktoft Sands.  This week we have seen swallows, sand martin, house martin, yellow wagtails, willow warbler, chiffchaff, sedge warbler, whitethroat and the warbler that sounds like a grasshopper (the grasshopper warbler).

We have even seen an increase in insect levels with many butterflies and moths now appearing.

So spring is certainly arriving now at RSPB Blacktoft Sands nature reserve.