Good morning. I have now returned and if you are wondering where I have been for the last three weeks, please read this blog post.
I popped in briefly on Saturday and saw nine roe deer grazing alongside the entrance track. A group of four curlews flew over the visitor centre and a water pipit flew up just east of the Washland viewpoint.
I lead a 10 kilometre “Long Walk” about the reserve on Sunday and we had fantastic views of three cranes at various points during the walk. A couple of roe deer were grazing at the far end of the reserve and a muntjac deer ambled across the path in Botany Bay. A male sparrowhawk was also hunting overhead.
As we walked back along the riverbank some bearded tits were calling alongside the riverbank Public Footpath. A great white egret was feeding north of the river along with four little egrets. When we got to Joist Fen viewpoint, we were treated to a long bittern flight just west of the viewpoint, which was great to see. All in all, it was a great walk and if you are interested, the next walk will take place on Saturday 30 July. Please follow this link for more details.
I went for a walk before work yesterday morning and a great white egret was showing well in front of the Washland viewpoint. A couple of pied wagtails flew south and two roe deer were skulking in East Wood.
I stopped at New Fen viewpoint and took a couple of pictures:
Image credits: David White
As the day went on, three water pipits were showing in front of the Washland viewpoint and at least nine roe deer were grazing alongside the entrance track.
Yesterday, a great white egret and a kingfisher were seen from the Washland viewpoint. A covey of 12 red legged partridges were seen near the visitor centre and two coal tits were on the visitor centre feeders. Also, excitingly, a bittern was heard booming quietly at the far end of the reserve. This is the earliest that we have ever heard these scarce birds booming here, so spring isn’t that far away!
Although it was quite chilly this morning, it certainly sounded like spring out on the reserve. A blackbird was singing near the visitor centre and a reed bunting was singing near the Washland viewpoint. A skylark was singing over the viewpoint ans a song thrush was also singing in East Wood.
There were some very strange light conditions just after sunrise and here are some pictures:
Image credit: David White
There was plenty to see including a sparrowhawk that dashed over the visitor centre shortly after I arrived and a great white egret was showing well in front of the Washland viewpoint. Four great crested grebes were showing well in front of the viewpoint and a short eared owl was hunting distantly behind the large pool.
As I walked along the riverbank, a barn owl was hunting at the edge of East Wood. Two roe deer were grazing in East Wood and presumably the same 12 red legged partridges from yesterday were seen near the visitor centre. A yellowhammer also flew west, which was nice to see.
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!