Good morning. One thing that I love about the month of May here is that when it comes round each year, it always brings in something different. So far, this May will be remembered for lot's of hobbys and an unprecedented variety of wader species on the washland. Here are some recent sightings from Sunday lunchtime onwards:
The black tern that appeared in front of the Washland viewpoint mid-morning and by lunchtime, it was showing spectacularly well as it hawked gracefully along the river Little Ouse, right in front of the viewpoint! Two whimbrels and a sanderling both made brief appearances in front of the viewpoint and our first green hairstreak butterfly of the year was seen on the wing near the car park.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, four cuckoos were seen in and around West Wood. A late peregrine was seen from Joist Fen viewpoint along with several bitterns.
The weather wasn't great here on Monday and Tuesday so there isn't much to report. However, a bittern was showing well at the edge of the visitor centre pond on Tuesday which brightened up the day!
I spent a very productive hour looking over the washland yesterday morning and I saw the following from the Washland viewpoint:
I also saw two cuckoos chasing eachother over the grazing marsh in Brandon Fen.
Presumably the same bittern from yesterday appeared at the edge of the visitor centre pond mid-morning and at least 42 hobbys were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint. Local photographer Matt Walton was out about on the reserve and took these images:
Hobby:
Hairy dragonfly:
Bittern:
Image credits: Matt Walton
Thank you very much to Matt for sharing these great images with us.
In the afternoon, a barn owl was seen from Joist Fen viewpoint and two unseasonal drake pochards were seen in New Fen North, the first area of reedbed. Our first brown argus butterfly of the year was also seen on the wing in Brandon Fen.
I spent some time at the Washland viewpoint this morning and saw:
I took a walk around the reserve and had a fantastic view of a Cetti's warbler singing out in the open by the stile in New Fen North. I also heard a garden warbler singing in East Wood.
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that there are cattle grazing on the riverbank.
We hope to see you soon!