I’ve spent this weekend at the RSPB’s members’ weekend at York University. I always enjoy these weekends, particularly the opportunity to hear from members about RSPB reserves they visit, what they like about what they do, and in some cases where they think we could improve.

We’ve heard a lot this year about the RSPB’s plans to refresh its logo, its work on making sure people are aware of the wide range of ‘all nature’ species we work on, and on inspiring young people and the next generation to care about nature (a subject particularly close to my heart).

While I haven’t made it to all the talks, last night we were treated to a talk by Mike Dilger, and on Friday Evening one by Nigel Pope, who is behind what will be an incredible new TV wildlife series on the Hebrides – watch out on your screens.

In fact, the spectacular but often threatened or persecuted wildlife of northern England and Scotland have also been themes for the weekend.

The early morning walks around the campus are always a treat. I went for a stroll on my own this morning, a blustery but warm start to the day – perhaps the first warm morning of 2013. I paused at a crossroads of two paths; there, I sat and watched two small brown and white treecreepers flitting energetically between tree trunks and then squirrelling their way vertically up them, gathering twigs, and taking them back behind a particular crack behind a lifted piece of bark, clearly building a nest.

They slowly worked their way up seams in trunks and branches, using them for grip and easy access to insects. A great spotted woodpecker also briefly perched in a tree above my head. When I returned to my room I heard a couple of chiffchaffs clearly singing from trees around the border of the lake.

Perhaps spring has finally arrived – an apt weekend for it to do so.