Good morning. It was a lovely day on Friday and there were plenty people out and about enjoying the weather and the wildlife. Local photographer David Capps took this picture from New Fen viewpoint, which caused a bit of a debate when I posted it on our social media pages (which are RSPB Suffolk on Facebook and RSPB Fens on Twitter, just in case you were wondering) :
Image credit: David Capps
It clearly shows a bittern in flight. However, if you look carefully, you can see at least one other bittern at the edge of the reeds. I have to admit I can only see one other bird but some people can see two others! Talk about great camouflage. Anyhow, regardless of how many birds there are, it’s a wonderful image and thank you very much to David for sharing it with us.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the reserve, a grasshopper warbler was reeling near Mere Hide and a kingfisher was seen dashing across the visitor centre pond.
There was also some excitement when Katherine, one of our Wardens found several yellow loosestrife bees feeding in the bog raised bed in front of the visitor centre. This species of solitary bee is really rather scarce, so it was great to see it so close to the visitor centre.
Katherine was also busy strimming at the edge of the visitor centre pond, so that we could have an alternative pond dipping area. I went and had a look at the newly created area and within less than 10 minutes, I had seen seven different species of dragonflies and damselflies. They were:
As well as opening up areas to see these colourful species, it also allowed me to take some pictures of the visitor centre pond from a slightly different vantage point yesterday morning:
Image credits: David White
There were two grasshopper warblers reeling between the visitor centre and East Wood yesterday morning. One was north of the riverbank Public Footpath and the other south of the same path. A willow warbler was singing near the visitor centre and a Cetti’s warbler was singing near the Washland viewpoint.
There was plenty to see at Joist Fen viewpoint over the course of the day. At least six marsh harriers were hunting in front of the viewpoint and several people were lucky enough to see a long bittern flight. There were also several bearded tits showing in front of the viewpoint.
Meanwhile, closer to the visitor centre, two kingfishers were fishing in the visitor centre pond.
I went out to look for invertebrates in the afternoon and here are a couple of pictures:
A gatekeeper up on the riverbank:
A probable Essex skipper in front of the visitor centre:
Thank you for reading and we hope to see you on the reserve soon!