Good morning. There has been plenty going on here over the last couple of days so here are some more recent sightings (editors note: apologies, the section of the RSPB website with bird guides on it doesn't seem to be working at the moment so apologies for the lack of usual hyperlinks!):
On Thursday afternoon, a greenshank appeared on the washland and a lesser redpoll was making regular visits to the feeders behind the visitor centre.
I went up to the washland viewpoint before work on Friday and saw the following:
A kingfisher was showing well at the edge of the visitor centre pond for most of the day which was nice to see.
I saw the following before work yesterday morning from the Washland viewpoint:
I walked around Brandon Fen I had fantastic views of a pair of bearded tits from the riverbank near the bend in the river. I don't see bearded tits very often, so this was a real treat for me!
Shortly after we opened. a kingfisher appeared at the edge of the visitor centre pond and showed well for a good amount of time.
Emma and I took the reserve Wildlife Explorer's Club out willow bashing in the morning and here are a few pictures from the session:
Hard at work trimming the willows behind "Frederick the willow dragon":
Admiring the group's handy work:
Image credits: David White
Member's of the group (and myself!) posing behind the extension to the fence that the children weaved:
Image credit: Emma Cuthbertson
Thank you very much to Warden Emma for coming and helping us out. The children (and adults!) really enjoyed the session!
There was much excitement in the afternoon as steam locomotive 60103 "Flying Scotsman" passed the reserve just after 3pm on its way to London. Here it is:
Image credit: David White
It was great to see so many waiting for the train to go past and the weather was kind to us to!
I didn't have enough time to go for a proper walk before work this morning but I did see a kingfisher at the edge of the visitor centre pond. I also heard some whooper swans calling on the washland.
Volunteer Paul spent some time up at the Washland viewpoint shortly after we opened and he saw the following:
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that there are cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint.
We hope to see you soon!