Good morning. Here are some sightings from Friday afternoon onwards:
Three roe deer were lurking behind the visitor centre pond and I went down the reserve mid-afternoon. I saw a female merlin hunting over Trial Wood. Apparently, a peregrine was also hunting nearby, although I wasn’t lucky enough to see it myself.
I also took a couple of pictures, which I hope you like:
Image credits: David White
I spent some time up at the Washland viewpoint in the afternoon on Saturday. I saw a sparrowhawk and a muntjac deer from the Washland viewpoint. There were also a couple of waders present, including three redshanks and a dunlin.
Local photographer Martin Peake was out on the reserve on Monday and took these lovely pictures:
Great white egret:
Kingfisher:
Reed bunting:
Image credits: Martin Peake
I went for a walk around Brandon Fen yesterday morning and I saw a roe deer skulking at the edge of the car park. I had a quick look from the Washland viewpoint and there was a group of “wild swans” present. This included at least 28 whooper swans and three Bewick’s swans. A single shelduck was also present.
As the day went on, volunteer Paul saw three common buzzards over the Washland viewpoint and common snipe was showing well at the edge of the visitor centre pond. A goldcrest was also feeding in front of the visitor centre.
This morning, there were at least 77 whooper swans in front of the Washland viewpoint long with three redshanks. Suzanne also saw three jays feeding at the edge of the car park.
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint is now muddy in places. You will need either walking boots or wellies if you are planning to use this path at present.
We hope to see you soon!