Good afternoon. I am very pleased to report that a singing male marsh warbler was found on the reserve yesterday afternoon. This species, which is closely related to the reed warbler is a rare bird in Britain. Back in the 1970's there were up to 70 pairs nesting in Britain but sadly, there are now less than 10 pairs nesting in Britain. This species has only been recorded on the reserve twice before. The first record was on 20 May 2000 and the second was on 2 June 2007.
The bird was first identified by its song along the riverbank just west of Joist Fen viewpoint and was seen shortly after. Here is a photograph of one that unfortunately wasn't taken here:
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
If you are not familiar with the marsh warbler's song, it is an excellent mimic. I went and had a listen to it this morning and in around 20 minutes, I heard it mimicking the following species:
It was also mimicking something that I had never heard before, which may have been a species that the marsh warbler had heard on its wintering grounds in Africa as this species is notorious for such behaviour!
As I type mid-afternoon, the bird is still present in the same area. It is still singing and showing occasionally. If you are planning to come and listen to it, please remain on the Public Footpath at all times and do not leave the path. Also, as this is a Schedule 1 breeding bird, it is illegal to try to tape lure this bird and we will be policing this. If you witness any such behaviour, please do let us know.
In other reserve news.......
Sadly, it seems that the long staying glossy ibis has finally moved on. It was last seen on Thursday which means it was present for six weeks! Hopefully it will come back though!
Saturday 20 May
Several red kites were seen over the reserve during the day. In the evening, a barn owl and a short eared owl were hunting over the riverbank near Joist Fen viewpoint.
Sunday 21 May
Suzanne came down for a walk yesterday and she saw a grasshopper warbler on the riverbank in Brandon Fen She saw at least 30 hobbys over Joist Fen viewpoint and a pair of kingfishers along the riverbank west of Joist Fen viewpoint. In the evening, a short eared owl was hunting along the riverbank north of Joist Fen viewpoint and we saw several cuckoos in flight near Joist Fen viewpoint.
Today
I saw a garden warbler singing out in the open near the visitor centre and I saw a turtle dove in flight over the Washland viewpoint. A barn owl was seen hunting along the riverbank north of Joist Fen viewpoint and several bearded tits were seen near the Washland viewpoint.
If you are planning to come and visit, please note that there are currently cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath.
We hope to see you soon!