Blimey it was chilly here this morning! It took me a while to deice my car and when I got here, there was quite a sharp ground frost.
Before I launch into some sightings from Monday afternoon onwards, here are a couple of pictures that were taken on the reserve during last week:
Glossy ibis:
Great white egret:
Image credits: Martin Peake
Thank you very much to Martin for sharing these images with us.
On Monday, a hobby and a drake garganey were seen from New Fen viewpoint. A flock of nine cranes were reported from Joist Fen viewpoint and at one point, three of them were seen circling high over the Washland viewpoint. At least five bitterns were also seen in flight including three from Joist Fen viewpoint and two from New Fen viewpoint.
There were also plenty of insects on the wing in the afternoon sunshine. This included a newly emerged large red damselfly in front of New Fen viewpoint and our first variable damselfly of the year near Joist Fen viewpoint.
In the evening, local birder Steve saw a short eared owl hunting over the washland north of East Wood. He also saw a whimbrel which landed in front of the Washland viewpoint for a while before continuing its migratory journey north.
I had a very successful walk before work yesterday morning. The glossy ibis was showing well from the Washland viewpoint along with 10 black tailed godwits and five redshanks. A male marsh harrier was hunting nearby and a lesser whitethroat was singing by crack willow near the visitor centre.
A tree pipit flew low over New Fen North and two mistle thrushes were feeding along the entrance track. There were also at least two roe deer in the same area.
As the day went on, our first common tern of the year was reported from the Washland viewpoint and I saw a green sandpiper in flight from the viewpoint at lunchtime. At least three cranes were also seen in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint during the afternoon.
I came down for a walk in the evening and I saw the following from the Washland viewpoint:
I saw a great white egret alongside the river near Joist Fen viewpoint and a yellow wagtail flew over the viewpoint shortly after. As I walked back through the reserve, one bittern was booming near Mere Hide and another was booming near New Fen viewpoint.
Despite the fact that it was pretty chilly this morning, I saw the following from the Washland viewpoint before work:
I took a walk along the riverbank and saw two little grebes in the newly cut area in New Fen North. I saw my first common whitethroat of the year on the riverbank and I could also hear a nightingale singing distantly north of the river.
Please note that there are now cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath.
There is plenty to see so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!