I returned to the reserve yesterday after two weeks "down south". I was amazed by how much things have changed: lots of our resident birds are now singing and both pairs of cranes have (finally) returned!
Before I get on to some recent sightings, here are some pictures that were taken recently on the reserve by local photographer Ron Smith:
Two robins having a territorial dispute:
A group of "wild swans" on the washland (they all look like whooper swans to me but if anybody has any other ideas, please comment below!):
A great white egret:
A male stonechat:
A grey heron:
Image credits: Ron Smith
Thank you very much to Ron for sharing these great images with us.
I will start where Emma left off in her recent sightings blog post on Tuesday. Suzanne saw a great white egret on the washland and a marsh harrier hunting over Brandon Fen. Excitingly, Emma and Katherine saw a juvenile rough legged buzzard from Joist Fen viewpoint looking towards the railway line. Presumably the same bird was also reported on Thursday.
I returned yesterday to hear a common curlew calling south of the railway line and a song thrush singing in Brandon Fen. There were also at least seven roe deer skulking around at the edge of the entrance track as volunteer John drove in.
Volunteers Roy and Emma went out on the reserve and saw a great white egret on the washland. They also saw two grey herons in flight from New Fen viewpoint.
Later on in the day, two cranes were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint along with a bittern. At least ten marsh harriers were hunting together at dusk along with two barn owls. There were also at least 10 little egrets feeding alongside the river and at least 25 whooper swans were feeding north of the river west of Joist Fen viewpoint.
I will return at some point later on in the week with a more comprehensive recent sightings report but until then, have a great week and we hope to see you on the reserve soon!