Broadwater Warren

This was my third visit to this rapidly developing new reserve, and I am really starting to love it. There is a marvellous patchwork of habitats including heathland, Alder dominated mire woodland, Birch woodland, stands of Scots Pine and some ancient woodland.

A splendid male Common Crossbill.

I also saw Marsh Tits, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Woodcock (a lifetime first for me) and a fantastic flock of 50+ Lesser redpolls.

Birch woodland.

Scots Pine.

Lesser Redpolls.

The iron rich stream in the mire woodland stains the water orange. In the foreground of the second picture is a clump of Greater Tussock Sedge Carex paniculata.