Good afternoon. I am very pleased to announce that two black winged stilts appeared on the reserve this morning. This is only the second time that this species has been seen here, with the last record being back in May 2002.
The birds appeared in front of the Washland viewpoint just after 8am this morning before flying into New Fen North, the first area of reedbed, where these photographs were taken of them:
Image credits: Mr Holland
They then flew back on to the washland, where they have been showing well from the Washland viewpoint since mid-morning. Let's hope they stick around for a while!
The glossy ibis has also been present from the Washland viewpoint today along with two ringed plovers and a turnstone. I also saw a hobby from the viewpoint when I went up there just before lunch.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, bitterns have been showing very well. Emma, Alan and I saw one booming at the edge of the pool at Joist Fen viewpoint yesterday and we saw another bird flying over Mere Hide.
There are also still plenty of hobbys to be seen from Joist Fen viewpoint and I counted at least 19 from the viewpoint yesterday. There are now plenty of cuckoos present on the reserve and they are being seen fairly regularly in flight, especially near New Fen viewpoint.
In other news, there were five ringed plovers and a grey plover showing from the Washland viewpoint on Thursday afternoon. A great white egret in breeding plumage also flew east along the river tomorrow morning.
In some non-birdy news, I saw a muntjac deer alongside Trial Wood last night and an orange tip butterfly was feeding in front of the visitor centre this morning.
Wardens Emma and Alan went through the moth trap yesterday morning and here are a few pictures of the species that came to light on Thursday night:
Muslin moth:
Cinnabar moth:
Burnished brass:
Poplar hawkmoth and black sexton beetle:
Poplar hawkmoth:
Image credits: David White
If you would like to learn more about some of the moths that call the reserve home, then why not come to our May Moth Morning next Sunday morning? Please follow this link for more details.
If you are planing to visit the reserve, please note that there are currently cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath. We hope to see you soon!