Avocet families at Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve. Parent birds chase off anything that gets too close to their chicks, including other Avocets. Yet, the chicks wander far from mum and dad. This makes them fairly easy targets for predators like large gulls and Marsh Harriers.

One Lapwing was sitting in the grass, and two others were flying /displaying just over her head. My interpretation was that they were two males trying to impress. The mating season has started in the wetlands.

When you see a Cormorant, you automatically see a big black bird. Look closer, and it is full of colour.

A good number of Wigeon are on-site at Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve at the moment. They are medium-sized dabbling ducks. In the UK they breed in central and northern Scotland. Many birds over winter here these come from Iceland, Scandinavia, and Russia.

This tiny bird vies with the Goldcrest for the title of the UK’s smallest bird. The Firecrest has a brighter green back, a white belly, and a bronze ‘collar.’ It also features a black and white eye stripe. They have a yellow and black stripe on their heads. They move quickly through trees and bushes in search of small insects.

• Weight5-7g
• Wingspan-13-16cm