Happy New Year!
I will start with the results of the 2017 staff and volunteer year list challenge. Just in case you aren't familiar with our year list challenge, the aim of the game is to see as many different species of bird on the reserve in a year as possible. You can only count a bird species if you see it (as opposed to just hearing it) and as long as you are on part of the reserve when you see something, you can put it on your list. The final scores are as follows:
I have attached the final list for interest. It was a great year for variety on the reserve and it was nice to see so many unusual species for the site over the course of the year. Who knows what exciting species 2018 will bring!
Anyhow, now that is over for another year, here are some sightings from Saturday onwards:
Volunteer John saw a kingfisher up at the Washland viewpoint during the morning. Ex-Site Manager Norman saw a male stonechat near Mere Hide and at least 350 whooper swans feeding south of the railway line. He also saw a sparrowhawk near Joist Fen viewpoint.
Volunteer Roy spent some time at Joist Fen viewpoint and saw a bittern in flight. He also saw five marsh harriers and a common buzzard.
The weather was really rather miserable yesterday morning but there was a flock of around a dozen lesser redpolls feeding near the visitor centre fist thing. A smart male brambling was also feeding behind the visitor centre which was nice to see.
I went for a walk up to the Washland viewpoint at lunchtime and heard some bearded tits calling on the approach to the viewpoint. A great white egret and two water pipits were showing well from the viewpoint itself.
There was some excitement in the afternoon when four cranes were seen in flight between Mere Hide and Joist Fen viewpoint. Hopefully, they will stick around so that we can get them on our 2018 year lists!
I went for a walk after we locked up and saw a bittern flying to roost into New Fen North, croaking as it went. I also saw a barn owl hunting near the visitor centre.
I walked down to Joist Fen viewpoint to watch it get light this morning and here is the view shortly after it got light:
I saw lot's of whooper swans in flight and a couple of marsh harriers. I also saw a single common buzzard. Shortly after I left the viewpoint, I saw a water shrew on the path in front of me which was a pleasant surprise.
As I walked back around East Wood, a green woodpecker flew up in front of me. I also took a photograph of some of the recent reed cutting work in New Fen North:
I went and had a quick look from the Washland viewpoint and here are a couple of pictures of the view:
Image credits: David White
A great white egret was showing well from the viewpoint and a water pipit flew up nearby. a flock of lapwings were also wheeling around overhead.
Please note that there are still cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint. This path is also extremely muddy so wellies and a degree of care are required at present. The rest of the reserve paths are fine.
We hope to see you soon and best wishes for 2018!