Good afternoon. I will begin by sharing some lovely images that were taken on Thursday morning by photographer and regular visitor Ron Smith:
Bitterns:
Cranes:
Image credits: Ron Smith
Thank you very much to Ron for sharing these great images with us.
On Friday evening, four great white egrets were seen in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint. This certainly isn’t something that you would have seen here (or anywhere!) in Britain 20 years ago!
There was plenty to see in the sunshine on Saturday, especially from the Washland viewpoint:
A red kite was seen over the visitor centre and local birder Steve saw a pair of garganeys flying into New Fen North, the first area of reedbed. A single crane was seen from Joist Fen viewpoint and our first orange tip butterflies of the year were on the wing.
My dad and I walked down to Joist Fen viewpoint yesterday morning and despite the fact that it was rather chilly, we still saw plenty. As we walked along the riverbank, we saw 10 roe deer and heard a blackcap singing in West Wood.
When we got to Joist Fen viewpoint, our first two swallows of the year flew over. We also saw a bittern and a single crane in flight.
As we walked back through the reserve, at least 80 fieldfares flew north and a curlew flew east. A peregrine was also hunting north of the river.
I walked around Brandon Fen before work in the morning sunshine. I saw a muntjac deer and two roe deer. I saw at least two water pipits on the washland and a great crested grebe on the river.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, good numbers of marsh harriers were hunting over Joist Fen viewpoint. Warden Katherine also saw nine roe deer feeding on the riverbank.
If you are planning the reserve, please note that the path alongside West Wood is currently very wet. You will need wellies to negotiate it at present. The rest of the reserve paths are currently OK.
A selection of road closures may affect your journey to and from the reserve over the next couple of weeks. Please click here for more information.
Also, just in case you haven’t heard, we have increased the entrance charge for non-members of the RSPB. Please read here for more information.
We hope to hear from you soon.