May I kick off 2022 news by wishing each and every one of you a very Happy New Year. Let us hope that it brings us all happier and healthier times than the pandemic troubles of the past two years.

So far the winter has brought us few issues with frosts/snow, and just a few days with rain/flooding/gales in parts, but on a whole has been very mild. Mother Nature of course will do as she pleases, and we will do our best to continue to provide help and assistance to the wild birds in whatever way they require it from us.

As I write this, just the one inquiry so far (it's only 9am) for a bird traumatised by last nights' fireworks - there will be more as the day progresses and people start to move about. Given all the calls for climate change I am surprised that fireworks have not yet been outlawed given the noise and pollution forced upon our environment. I will take a walk around the Home Reserve later today, and will collect the usual fallout debris from the fireworks which have dropped upon the nature reserve from the surrounding fields and properties, to ensure that nature does not choke upon them or use them for nesting materials this season which could prove harmful or fatal for the newly hatched chicks.

On a brighter note looking forward we have lots of work planned for this year on several of the nature reserves; the Home Reserve will be having a professional assessment for the current trees, as a number have been damaged by the winter storm Arwen, which will leave space for new trees to be planted. Those trees which cannot be saved will be repurposed with some log-stacks; which in turn go on to provide both 'homes' and nesting-sites, and the grubs and insects which will reside within, will go onto provide a foodsource for years to come. Both Doctor's Rest and the Marsh Reserves are continuing to be developed to create the habitats needed to protect and enhance the welfare of the species which are under threat in those areas.

Finally, if you have any rooted Christmas Trees which you would like to donate to assist with our tree planting/replacement at Rochdale; please get in touch.

Wishing each and every one of you all the Very Best for 2022.

Nigel