Ladybirds, red admiral butterflies and even a honey bee have been spotted about the reserve recently. After spending several months underground wood ants have been seen scurrying along the heath land floor.

The large ant nests that are found over the reserve have looked rather sad over the winter and have been easy to overlook but soon they will be a mass of industrious ants and will be turned back into impressive living structures.

It is because of all this wildlife that Arne is such an exciting place to visit. Another of our star attractions has begun to emerge from its winter hibernation - a raft spider - seen in a spot on the pond close to Shipstal point.

If you haven’t watched the wintering waders yet do note that they will be heading back to the Netherlands in the next few weeks. But don't worry because as the winter birds leave the spring birds begin to take centre stage. Look out for male Dartford warblers starting to sing for territories and now is the time to see woodlarks displaying.

In the last few days there have been more sightings of spoonbills, the tall white water-birds with long spatulate black bills and long black legs. In the water they feed with elegant sideward sweeps of their bill.

They are a very rare breeding bird in the UK so the sightings at Arne, where they have been spotted from both Coombe heath and the hide at Shipstal point, are very special.