Good afternoon. Here are some recent sightings from Saturday afternoon onwards:
A peregrine that was soaring over the visitor centre on Saturday afternoon was a pleasant surprise. A barn owl spent most of the afternoon roosting in Trial Wood, the middle poplar wood. It was visible from the main track near Mere Hide.
On Sunday, a red kite flew overhead. Our first emerald damseflies of the year were also seen on the wing.
An adult Mediterranean gull flew over Brandon Fen early on Monday morning. I saw a mistle thrush in the sandy area of Brandon Fen and two common terns flew east along the river.
On the way back to the visitor centre I met a local photographer who had just seen two water voles from the bridge near the pond dipping area. It is great to know that these elusive mammals are showing themselves to some people!
As the day went on, a bittern appeared at the edge of the visitor centre pond. At one point, you could literally only see its beak. Talk about being elusive!
I led a guided walk in the evening and just before the group arrived, I went and had a quick look for the water voles mentioned above. Although I didn’t see them, I heard some very distinctive chomping so it was good to know that they were around.
A kingfisher was showing well from New Fen viewpoint and a cuckoo flew over the viewpoint while we were there. A group of four lapwings flew over and four noisy oystercatchers also passed overhead.
Bitterns were showing very well on Tuesday morning and several individuals were seen over the far end of the reserve. Meanwhile, closer to the visitor centre, Suzanne heard a willow warbler at the edge of the staff car park.
This bittern was photographed from Mere Hide yesterday:
Image credit: Ken Clegg
It is very likely to be the ringed individual that features in this blog post. Thank you very much to Ken for sharing this image with us.
Suzanne also heard a grasshopper warbler reeling in Brandon Fen, just east of the Washland viewpoint.
Suzanne and I did a survey around Brandon Fen this morning and we heard presumably the same grasshopper warbler singing that I have just mentioned above. We also saw a muntjac deer and a roe deer in its attractive summer coat.
As the day has gone on, there has been plenty to see from the visitor centre window. This has included a bittern and two kingfishers.
We hope to see you soon!