Good morning. It’s a lovely morning this morning so it’s about time to update you about what is around! The local hobbys have definitely been the stars of the week so here are a few pictures of them:
Two images by Roderick Woods from Thursday:
Image credits: Roderick Woods
...And here is one by David G Carter from Monday:
Image credit: David G Carter
Thank you very much to Roderick and David for sharing these great images with us.
It was a nice day on Sunday and there was plenty to see. I saw a male roe deer as I drove in and another two were in Trial Wood. I saw a least three different cuckoos around the poplar woods and a sparrowhawk flew from East Wood to West Wood.
Volunteer Mark headed down the reserve before doing a stellar job on car parking duty. He saw a stoat alongside West Wood and at least six hobbys were over New Fen North.
Volunteers Mark and Roger did car parking duty and while they were doing it, a common buzzard and an osprey flew over. They also saw several orange tips and a speckled wood on the wing.
There was a great count of 46 hobbys hunting in front of Joist Fen viewpoint and a weasel was seen north of Trial Wood. A great white egret was seen on the washland and a ruby tiger moth was on the wing near the visitor centre.
It was a nice day on Monday and there were at least 20 hobbys hunting in front of Joist Fen viewpoint. A red kite flew over and a Cetti’s warbler was showing well in front of the viewpoint.
As the day went on, an osprey flew over Joist Fen viewpoint and a grasshopper warbler was singing in the same area. A great white egret was also on the washland.
I got here nice and early this morning in order to practice my surveying skills. I heard a grasshopper warbler in Brandon Fen and there was a cuckoo was singing behind the visitor centre.
I also tried to get some pictures of the plants in the raised beds this morning and despite the bright sunshine, I managed to get these:
Water violet:
Bog bean:
Image credits: David White
Unfortunately, there have been no other reports of golden orioles since last Thursday so perhaps the bird that was heard was just passing through. Hopefully that won’t be the only record of this species that we have of this species here this year. We live in hope!
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!