The sightings we've had since David's last blog feature quite a nice mixture of birds, despite the bad weather. I think because we're all still compiling our 'basic' year lists we're looking out for many species that might otherwise be glossed over! We've also been sent some amazing photos, which follow below.
With the water level so high out on the river Little Ouse, the washland has flooded and the viewpoint now looks out over a nice expanse of water. Small clumps and ridges of vegetation still peek out above the water, offering resting and perching spots. Great crested grebes have been present, with three seen yesterday. Two of these are already showing their colourful crests. The Slavonian grebe was present on Tuesday but has not been reported over the past couple of days. From the washland viewpoint a meadow pipit was spotted by David very close by and yesterday I even managed to pick out the pinging of bearded tits in the reeds near the viewpoint. We've also had a good number of tufted duck here recently, with 12 seen on Wednesday and 25 recorded yesterday. It's worth walking along the washland path towards the Hockwold river bridge too. I've been that way over the past couple of days and have admired a large number of lapwing gathered on the small islands. The 11 I counted on Wednesday had risen to 92 by Thursday!
As I continued my walk off the riverbank down into Brandon Fen, two kestrels caught my attention as they moved and called between the trees. Three little egrets were in the grazing marsh, which is very wet at the moment too. Approaching the sandy areas of Brandon Fen I spotted a movement ahead and through my binoculars watched a green woodpecker for a while, near the newly dug scrapes. When these scrapes can hold water, these will be fantastic spots to keep an eye on. There were many different mammal footprints around the edge, indicating the disturbed ground has already been investigated. No doubt some of these belong to the two roe deer that David sees regularly just off the entrance track, and the muntjac that live in Brandon Fen. Heading back to the visitor centre yesterday I saw two beautiful bramblings and then heard the unmistakable call of a buzzard overhead and when I looked up I discovered not one but three circling above me. They were being very vocal!
Further down the reserve and the photographers have been having a cracking week. Hen harriers are still being seen in good numbers, with six male and two ringtail recorded on Wednesday. A barn owl was also spotted:
Photo credit: Matt Walton - Barn owl
Joist Fen viewpoint has clearly been affording some cracking views of bittern this week. Tim James has put some of them on the photo section of our Lakenheath Community sight and here is another in case you haven't seen those. A lovely bittern, gobbling down what looks to be a young pike.
Photo credit: Tim James - Bittern with a tasty snack down at Joist Fen viewpoint
As well as the barn owls, marsh harriers, hen harriers and buzzards being seen recently, a merlin has also been seen quite regularly and Matt Walton managed to get a great shot. I have yet to see the merlin so I'm very jealous!
Photo credit: Matt Walton - Merlin
Although sightings from the hide have been a bit quiet this week due to the weather, the resident pair of stonechats have been showing well in between the showers. Here is another photo from Tim James - the stonechat seems to be so delicately balanced on the reed stem! The stonechats are a regular sighting down at the hide so make sure you look out for them.
Photo credit: Tim James - Stonechat at Mere Hide
I can't not mention the fact that it's Valentines Day today. The birds are certainly starting to think about looking for a partner - singing has definitely picked up over the last week. A very vocal dunnock can be heard from inside the office, great tits are going great guns along with blackbirds, mistle and song thrush. The warm winter we're having seems to be speeding up the arrival of spring, for the birds at least! Keep your eyes and ears peeled on your next visit. Here's the final photo then, linked to the date - a lovely romantic sunset!
Photo credit: Matt Walton - Sunset