Good morning! It has certainly warmed up recently! On Thursday morning, a bittern was seen at the edge of the visitor centre pond shortly before we opened up the visitor centre.
The collared pratincole was seen at Joist Fen viewpoint and the little bittern was barking near Mere Hide.
A roe deer was skulking at the edge of the visitor centre pond and there were plenty of dragonflies and damselflies on the wing. This included several scarce chasers and at least 25 red eyed damselflies at the far end of the reserve.
The collared pratincole was showing well over Joist Fen viewpoint during the afternoon and the little bittern was seen in flight over New Fen North triangle, just east of Joist Fen viewpoint.
There was some excitement just before we closed when somebody came in reporting a whiskered tern in front of New Fen viewpoint. I dashed down there but unfortunately didn't see it so it will only be a possible unfortunately!
I came down in the evening and although the collared pratincole didn't show itself, there were plenty of other things to see. A barn owl was hunting in front of Joist Fen viewpoint and there were at least four cuckoos in the same area. As we walked back through the reserve, we saw one muntjac deer skulking in East Wood and another bounding along the entrance track as we left.
I had a very productive walk around Brandon Fen in the sunshine yesterday morning. A barn owl was hunting over the grazing marsh and two marsh harriers were hunting over the washland. A female kestrel flew over and I spooked a roe deer which scarpered away from me.
There were also plenty of dragonflies and damselflies on the wing. I saw an emperor dragonfly, a male banded demoiselle and a common blue damselfly. That's not bad for 8am in the morning!
The roe deer appeared at the edge of the visitor centre pool once again and the bittern was seen again in the same area. A kingfisher also whizzed across the visitor centre pool.
As the day went on, a female scarce chaser was photographed on the riverbank. I can’t resist sharing a picture of one that I photographed earlier on in the week. It isn't great, but at least you can tell what it is:
Image credit: David White
A male black tailed skimmer was also photographed. This is probably the first record of this species here this year which is a great sign.
The little bittern was heard barking in New Fen North triangle but there were only a couple of reports of the collared pratincole from Joist Fen viewpoint in the morning and then nothing in the afternoon.
I went for a walk in the gloom this morning and saw a stoat with prey alongside Trial Wood. I also spotted some lovely ragged robin in flower in the Fen pools near the visitor centre. Here is some that I photographed earlier on in the week:
Image credits: David White
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!