Good morning. I am very rarely in the office on a Monday so it feels strange to be blogging right at the start of the working week! I won’t be able to blog again until the end of the week so without further ado, I shall begin.
Here are some pictures of “Little & Large”, one of our crane pairs feeding near New Fen viewpoint on Saturday:
Image credits: Darren Thompson
...And here are some of the pictures of the hoar frost from the last couple of mornings:
Image credits: David White
Thank you very much to Darren for sharing the crane pictures with us.
I will start where I left off on Saturday afternoon. I went up to the Washland viewpoint in the afternoon sunshine and was very pleased to see a chiffchaff feeding on the approach to the viewpoint. On the washland itself, I found a drake pintail and three pochards which were nice to see. Just before we locked up, Warden Emma phoned to let us know that two cranes were heading our way. Unfortunately, we didn’t see them but there was some consolation as a barn owl was hunting over Brandon Fen.
It was very foggy yesterday morning so all of the records on my morning walk were “heard only.” A green woodpecker was calling in East Wood and a great spotted woodpecker was drumming in Trial Wood. A bittern was (almost!) booming in New Fen North and some bearded tits were calling near New Fen viewpoint.
When the sun eventually burned though, two cranes flew from Joist Fen viewpoint into New Fen North. At least 15 bearded tits were feeding just east of Joist Fen viewpoint and a male pochard was feeding on the river.
Katherine and volunteer Paul did the last Wetland Bird Survey (WeBs) count of this winter period yesterday. They saw a single crane and a great white egret from the Washland viewpoint. They saw a short eared owl just west of Joist Fen viewpoint and two chiffchaffs at the far end of the reserve. A total of 20 whooper swans flew over as well as a woodcock. There were also several butterflies on the wing, including a small tortoiseshell and a peacock.
As the day went on, there was plenty to see from the visitor centre window. A bittern flew over the visitor centre pond and there was plenty of interest on the feeders. This included two fine male lesser redpolls, a pair of siskins and plenty of smart reed buntings. A water rail also scuttled across the cut at the edge of the pond which was great to see.
A barn owl was hunting over Brandon Fen early this morning and I saw two great white egrets on the washland shortly after I arrived. A noisy oystercatcher was also present along with several great crested grebes.
A bittern was grunting in New Fen North and two marsh harriers were displaying in front of New Fen viewpoint. Great spotted woodpeckers were also drumming in both East Wood and Trial Wood.
Just before I finish, I have to let you know that the interior path around New Fen North has now been closed to protect nesting birds.
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit?! We hope to see you soon!