Good morning. I have attached Simon Evan’s latest ringing data, this time from last Monday. As you can see, it shows that there are still plenty of bramblings and lesser redpolls on the move. This suggests that the recent chillier weather has encouraged them to move further south for a bit more warmth.
I will start off where I left off on Saturday. I took a walk around the interior path of New Fen North in the afternoon just to check the state of the paths. I saw a Cetti’s warbler out in the open which was nice to see. While I was out, a bittern flew across the visitor centre pond, so it’s good to know that one is still feeding in that area.
I went for a walk around Brandon Fen on Sunday morning and at least six common snipe flew up out of the grazing marsh. Two stock doves also flew over. As the day went on, a kingfisher was seen from the Washland viewpoint and three common buzzards were seen over Mere Hide.
I lead a very successful barn owl walk on Sunday afternoon, which was rescheduled from 29 November last year. We eventually had good views of at least three barn owls hunting over the washland. Other highlights included a stunning male marsh harrier hunting over New Fen North, a probable peregrine perched up in West Wood and two stonechats, which were showing well in front of the Washland viewpoint.
On Monday, Wardens Katherine and Emma saw plenty on their travels around the reserve. They saw a bittern in flight over the far end of the reserve and a common buzzard was hunting over Joist Fen viewpoint.
I went for a walk around Brandon Fen before work yesterday morning and had excellent views of a barn owl hunting at close quarters near the car park. Three roe deer were skulking around in the poplars and a great white egret was showing well in front of the Washland viewpoint. A kingfisher whizzed along the river and two water pipits were also feeding nearby.
When I got back to the visitor centre, I photographed this impressive species of fungi, which looks like one of the ink caps:
Image credit: David White
As the day went on, Katherine and Emma went down to New Fen North to check progress on the reed cutting that is currently taking place in that area of reedbed. They saw a bittern and two common snipe in flight.
I had a bit of a shock this morning when two roe deer ran across the entrance track in front of me as I drove in. I took a walk down to New Fen viewpoint along the very muddy Public Footpath. I saw a great white egret near the Washland viewpoint and a kingfisher flew along the river. A barn owl was hunting at the edge of East Wood and a male stonechat was feeding near the stile.
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!