Good afternoon. Things are now slowly starting to happen here on the reserve. Before I launch into some more recent sightings, here are some pictures that I took on the reserve last Friday which I hope you like:
Image credits: David White
There were good numbers of warblers around on Saturday morning with a willow warbler singing in Brandon Fen and a reed warbler reported alongside East Wood. At least three sedge warblers were also singing their scatty songs.
Local birder Steve saw at least five water pipits near the Washland viewpoint. Some of them were in eye-catching breeding plumage, which were lovely to see.
I popped in for a walk late morning and saw a sparrowhawk over Brandon Fen. A chiffchaff and at least eight bramblings were also present.
Suzanne saw at least six swallows over the washland on Monday. Volunteer Paul saw our first common tern of the year from the Washland viewpoint on Tuesday.
Warden Katherine saw a blackcap in Botany Bay yesterday. I came down for a walk in the evening and I heard three different bitterns booming from Joist Fen viewpoint. I also saw one in flight from the viewpoint.
There was a mixed flock of swallows and sand martins feeding over the washland. There were also good numbers of yellow wagtails flying overhead. I saw at least three from Joist Fen viewpoint while I was there.
I saw at least five roe deer along the entrance track as I drove in this morning. Suzanne and I did our second Common Bird Census of the year around Brandon Fen and there was plenty to see and hear.
We had a lovely view of a barn owl hunting over Brandon Fen and I saw my first sedge warbler of the year in the reedbed. We saw two linnets feeding near the Washland viewpoint which is a good reserve record. We also saw a pair of Cetti’s warblers chasing eachother around near the Washland viewpoint which was nice to see.
A whimbrel flew over the visitor centre this morning, calling as it went. Meanwhile, further down the reserve, the reserve team have seen a single crane and three different bitterns west of Joist Fen viewpoint.
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint is still very muddy. You will need wellies to negotiate this path at present.
We hope to see you soon!