Winter has waned, and our reserves are warming up. Green shoots are pushing through the hard ground, trees are budding as birds are nest building, and we greet spring with the sun on our face and the sight of lambs and other new wildlife gambolling through fields for the first time.
Many thanks to our visitors and wildlife lovers who share their sightings and lovely photographs with us.
It's been a month full of beautiful barn owl sightings! However Kevin Hall managed to capture this close call between a raven and a hunting barn owl at our Lunt Meadows reserve in Liverpool.
Kevin managed to capture a tussle between the two birds as the raven tried to chase the barn owl out of the area.
"The raven almost got the owl, but it managed to evade it and escape. At one point, it nearly grabbed its tail." - @KevinHall1169
A raven chasing a barn owl at Lunt Meadows. Credit Kevin Hall
A barn owl and raven at Lunt Meadows. Credit Kevin Hall
Raven almost catching a barn owl's tail feathers. Credit Kevin Hall
A raven and barn owl caught in a tussle at Lunt Meadows. Credit Kevin Hall
A raven and barn owl caught in a tussle. Credit Kevin Hall
Kevin the kestrel at Brockholes. Credit Joe Bennett
It's been a while since we have included Kevin the kestrel in our latest sightings. Joe Bennett has shared this sunlit photo of him soaring over the meadows.
Kevin resides at Brockholes and likes to hang around the carpark. He delights visitors of all ages who may not otherwise have seen a kestrel that is not sky-high in the middle of hunting.
Kestrels prefer open habitats like grassland, farmland and heathland, but can be seen in towns and villages.
Smooth newt at Brockholes. Credit Kathie Wilson
Kathie was surprised to see this little smooth newt crossing our Visitor Village path and kindly helped him on his way!
Smooth newts hibernate underground, among tree roots and in old walls over winter. It's also known as the 'common newt' and is the species you are most likely to find in your garden pond. This one was likely waking and warming up, in search of food or playmates or suitable breeding pond.
Didn't know we had native newts in the UK? Get to know your newts with our interesting fact guide!
Beautiful barn owl at Brockholes. Credit Craig Smith
We are barmy for barn owls, so we are delighted by the amount of sightings that have been shared with us this last month by our reserve visitors.
Barn owl at Brockholes. Credit Craig Smith
Barn owls have a mottled silver-grey and buff back, and a pure white underside. It has a distinctive heart-shaped, white face, and black eyes. They are spotted more frequently because they are one of the few owls that hunt in the daytime. They have the best of all worlds though as they are perfectly adapted to hunting at dawn, dusk and night too.
Thank you to Craig Smith and Steve Liptrot for sharing their photos with us.
Barn owl in flight. Credit Steve Liptrot
Barn owl in flight, rear shot. Credit Steve Liptrot
Barn owl with outspread wings. Credit Steve Liptrot
Barn owl at Brockholes. Credit Steve Liptrot
Barn owl in flight. Credit Steve Liptrot
Have you seen some wonderful wildlife at one of reserves recently? Share with us on Facebook, X or Instagram!
Don't have social media? You can email your snaps to us at comms@lancswt.org.uk.
Alternatively, you could enter our photography competition.
