Good morning. I will start this morning with a picture of something that we have been seeing quite a lot of recently here:
It is a mullein moth caterpillar and large numbers can currently be seen feeding on the mullein in front of the visitor centre. Please ask in the visitor centre for more information if you would like to see one!
I went for a walk before work on Friday morning and saw a mistle thrush in the sandy area in Brandon Fen. A grasshopper warbler was singing just east of the Washland viewpoint and a cuckoo was calling in East Wood.
I had a quick look for the water voles that have been feeding near the pond dipping area recently. Although I didn’t see one, I heard one nearby so it was good to know that one was around!
I had my camera with me so here are a couple of pictures that I hope you like:
Poppies:
Variable damselfly in the shade:
The visitor centre pond:
Greater spearwort in the raised pond bed in front of the visitor centre:
Image credits: David White
I walked around Brandon Fen with a colleague from another reserve mid-morning and we saw a large red damselfly sunning itself. We also saw a female common lizard under the reptile tin near the bug hotel.
As the day went on, a kingfisher appeared at the edge of the visitor centre pond and red kite flew over New Fen viewpoint. Site Manager Dave also saw three cuckoos chasing eachother from New Fen viewpoint.
There was plenty of marsh harrier activity in front of Joist Fen viewpoint yesterday, with food being passed between males and females. A bittern was also showing well from New Fen viewpoint.
A kingfisher was fishing at the edge of the visitor centre pond when I got here this morning. Two stock doves flew over Brandon Fen and I disturbed a female roe deer that was feeding at the edge of the path.
Volunteer Paul came in and had a look from the Washland viewpoint mid-morning. He saw an oystercatcher, a redshank and a couple of lapwings.
We hope to see you soon!