In January I suggested a monthly visit to The Barton Fields Nature Reserve and here we are in February.

The Thames Path runs along one side of Barton Fields. It is wet and muddy.

The marshy ponds have become more extensive after the recent rain.

The Sustrans Route 5 cycle way runs along the other side. A lot of the trees and bushes arch over the cycle way with their show of blossom.

Small leaves are also appearing from the wood.

The hay, reported in this blog last autumn, has been left in piles which provide an area for some animals to over-winter.

The only mammal I saw, apart from the people and dogs out on walks, was a squirrel, and it was well hidden.

There were lots of birds. In one area of bushes, near a pond, there were lots of Tits and Goldfinches flying from perch to perch. On further investigation I discovered they were attracted by bird feeders hung from a tree.

On the notice boards, at either end of Barton Fields, a talk is being advertised. It is about a Floodplain Meadow Project run by BBOWT. So that could have some ideas for Barton Fields where a wild flower area is being established.

Normally members of the Abingdon Naturalists’ Society also talk about sightings they have made seen since the last meeting. I wonder what they have seen in Barton Fields during February.