Good afternoon. Things are finally back to normal now after the festive season so here are some sightings from the last couple of days:
I will start though with a couple of pictures that I took on the reserve on Ne Year's Day:
Visitor centre pond late afternoon:
The moon over the car park:
Image credits: David White
I hope you like them!
Suzanne walked around Brandon Fen on Monday lunchtime and saw a chiffchaff and a common snipe. She also heard a song thrush singing at the edge of the car park.
I went up to the Washland viewpoint before work on Tuesday and saw at least 10 whooper swans. Some bearded tits were calling near the viewpoint and a couple of goldcrests were feeding in front of the visitor centre.
Volunteer John went up to the Washland viewpoint first thing and saw a great white egret. He also counted at least 10 tufted ducks. I popped up there at lunchtime and saw a strange duck which must have been a hybrid. Although it had some pochard in it, it didn't look quite right so who knows what it was!
Local birders Jonny, Malcolm and Steve were down the reserve in the afternoon and saw the following from Joist Fen viewpoint:
Although the weather wasn't great this morning, Suzanne saw a buzzard and come bearded tits around Brandon Fen.
I went up to the Washland viewpoint first thing this morning and saw the following:
As the morning went on, three siskins and a brambling were seen on the visitor centre feeders. I went up to the Washland viewpoint at lunchtime and saw a great white egret. A green woodpecker also flew up near the pond dipping area.
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint is currently extremely muddy. Wellies are essential to negotiate this path at present. All of the rest of the paths are currently OK.
We hope to see you soon!