Good morning. After today, I won't be able to blog until at least the beginning of next week so here are some recent sightings from the last couple of days.
On Sunday, a mistle thrush was singing in front of the visitor centre and a migrant hawker was on the wing in the afternoon sunshine. Some lucky visitors saw an otter from Mere Hide and a red kite flew over Joist Fen viewpoint. A peregrine also flew over the visitor centre.
On Monday afternoon, Suzanne saw a merlin and eight marsh harriers over the far end of the reserve. A water rail was calling and she also saw six bearded tits in the reedbed.
It was a lovely day yesterday morning and here is the view over the visitor centre pond:
A chiffchaff was seen in Brandon Fen and a bittern was seen from Joist Fen viewpoint. A stoat was seen along the riverbank and this otter was photographed on the path near Mere Hide:
Image credits: Angela Lord
Local photographer Martin Peake also took these photographs:
Great white egret:
Fieldfares:
Fieldfare:
Image credits: Martin Peake
Thank you very much to Angela and Martin for sharing their images with us.
As the afternoon went on, two kingfishers were showing well at the edge of visitor centre pond and a sparrowhawk flew over. A merlin was seen from Joist Fen viewpoint and I took these pictures of the sunset over the far end of the reserve:
Image credits: David White
Although it was raining this morning, there was still plenty to see. A water pipit flew up from the washland north of East Wood and there were 35 whooper swans on the pool north of the Washland viewpoint. At least 150 lapwings were present and a great white egret flew over.
If you are into your pin badges, we have just taken a delivery of some new badges. If there are any badges in particular that you are looking for, please ring us on 01842 863400 or e-mail us at: lakenheath@rspb.org.uk; and we will let you know if we have it (or them!)
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint is muddy in places. We recommend that you wear walking boots if you are planning to use this path at present.
We hope to see you on the reserve soon.