Good morning. I will start off where I left off on Wednesday afternoon with some more recent sightings:
Site Manager Dave saw at least 40 sand martins feeding over Joist Fen viewpoint. Two juvenile cranes were also seen in flight from the viewpoint before flying north of the river.
Suzanne and I were in early yesterday morning to so our latest Common Bird Census (CBC) in Brandon Fen yesterday afternoon. There were plenty of common birds singing and there were good numbers of newly arrived willow warblers singing. A linnet was singing at the edge of the grazing marsh and at least two roe deer were skulking at the edge of the path.
We stopped briefly at the Washland viewpoint where we saw the glossy ibis, a great white egret and two little egrets. There were also several Cetti's warblers singing loudly from cover.
As the day went on, two cranes were seen in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint and a bittern was also showing well at the edge of the pool in front of the viewpoint. Three common snipe were showing well from New Fen viewpoint and a kingfisher flew along the river.
I came in early for a walk this morning and I went up to the Washland viewpoint first thing. The glossy ibis was showing well along with a great white egret. As I walked along the riverbank, I had excellent views of a kingfisher fishing at very close quarters. As I walked along the riverbank, I took this photo of our resident Dartmoor ponies, which have recently been moved back into New Fen North.:
As I walked alongside the northern edge of West Wood. I could hear a muntjac deer barking in Trial Wood and I saw a Chinese water deer north of the wood.
When I got to Joist Fen viewpoint, a single crane flew in from north of the river and my first common whitethroat of the year was singing near the viewpoint. While I was at the viewpoint, I also took this photo of of the view:
As I walked back through the reserve. a bittern was booming loudly near Mere Hide and this very large earthworm was on the path:
I stopped briefly at New Fen viewpoint where two early curlew sandpipers had just been reported. Although I didn't see them, I did see a kingfisher which was nice to see.
When I got back to the visitor centre, a linnet was singing in the alders behind the visitor centre. I also took a couple of pictures of the plants that are coming into flower near the visitor centre:
Bog bean:
Greater celandine:
Image credits; David White
Local birder Paul came in shortly after we opened and excitingly, he had heard our first cuckoo of the year calling south of the railway line shortly after first light. He also saw two garganeys from the Washland viewpoint.
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!