We're forging ahead into 2025 but before we leave last year behind, plenty happened on the reserve at the end of 2024 that we want to share with you.

We've had several reports of swans on the paths over November and December. These are normally youngsters that are being pushed out by their parents, or have come down on a lake that has a pair of swans on there already. Mute swans are very territorial and will push off any interlopers so these young swans end up on the paths, usually for a nap and to recover. If you come across one on the path please give them plenty of space - they'll probably wander off when they're ready.

Our brushcutter has been hard at work cutting bramble off the fence lines around the reserve. Bramble grows very quickly (up to three inches per day!) and fences can quickly become submerged in a prickly green sea. Our livestock do their best - we've got breeds who look at bramble as the tastiest of snacks - but there's just too much for them to cope with on their own. At this time of year we target particular lines to clear so we can have a look at the state of the fence underneath and mark up the broken posts for replacement in the spring. As you can see, we've been hoping to train the sheep to use the brushcutter, but they seem more interested in trying to eat it!

With more windy weather has come yet more storm damage, not only at Whisby, but also the other sites we look after around Lincoln. Tunman Wood is a semi-natural woodland on our patch with areas of conifer plantation. These areas are often hit hard by harsh weather as the tall, straight trees are more vulnerable to high winds. We've been out there with out trusty chainsaw and winch clearing up the damage and making sure the paths are clear to walk.

The reserve got a bit of a spruce up just before the Christmas break with the screens at Hide One being repainted and refilled with reed collected from the reserve. We save some of this reed when we cut it so that we can use it for projects like this. The screens have been in place for a few years and were starting to look a little tired and tatty so we brought them back to the workshop for a refresh.

Spring is in the air already with many plants making moves towards the new growing season. Hawthorn along the southern side of Grebe Lake has been in leaf since mid-December. Have you spotted any signs of spring around the nature reserve?

Wishing you all a very happy and wildlife-filled new year!