The recent wet weather has caused problems on some nature reserves. In particular, can you note that the Tophill Low site is closed until at least April.

At the time of writing there is considerable development work going off at Old Moor thanks to a National Lottery funding grant. I went yesterday and there is restricted parking available due to work improving the car park area. Don’t let it put you off going and just park safely where you can.

New car parking meters have been installed at RSPB Fairburn and RSPB St Aidans. They only take cards for payment. If you don’t have a card then go to reception. You need to display both your receipt and your RSPB membership card near your windscreen. RSPB members can park for free but you still need to get a receipt from the machine.

On our first outdoor event of the new season, 14 members were the first to find a rare crake which was at the bottom of some reed beds on the Marshland Lagoon at Blacktoft Sands.

With the help of one of the local experts, it was established the bird was a little crake which has not been reported in Yorkshire since 1946. By the time the group left the site, there was a long queue outside the hide and the car park was full to overflowing. One of our members, Chas Harrison, was able to get a good picture which helped with the identification.

We are sorry to report that the annual RSPB weekend events will no longer be continued. This year’s event, whilst enjoyable, continued the decline in attendance, so the event is no longer economically viable.

The Members’ Day and AGM  will continue with the next one being in London in October.