Good morning. How on earth is it mid-January already?! Here are some recent sightings from Friday onwards. Warden Katherine went down the reserve and saw at least two great white egrets near Joist Fen viewpoint. We were treated to fantastic views of two barn owls hunting near the visitor centre at the end of the day which was great to see.
On Saturday, six redshanks were feeding in front of the Washland viewpoint and a shelduck was also present. Volunteer Norman went down the reserve in the afternoon and saw at least eight marsh harriers from Joist Fen viewpoint. He also saw at least one great white egret on his travels.
Yesterday morning, Suzanne saw a barn owl hunting along the entrance track as she drove in yesterday morning. A common buzzard was also hunting over the same area and a great white egret was showing well from the Washland viewpoint.
I went for a walk before work this morning and by the time I got up to the Washland viewpoint, I counted 32 whooper swans and a Bewick’s swans. However, by the sound of things, I was moreorless convinced that a group of Bewick’s swans had departed just before I got up there.
As I walked along the riverbank, a great white egret flew up near the reserve entrance and a muntjac deer was skulking nearby. As I walked back through the poplars to the car park, two roe deer dashed across the path in front of me which were nice to see.
Suzanne came back from her walk and she had seen a barn owl along the entrance track once again which was a good sign. A noisy mistle thrush was feeding in the visitor centre alders as I opened up the visitor centre and a red kite was feeding over the car park mid-morning.
I took these photographs of the visitor centre pond which I hope you like:
Image credit: David White
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that the riverbank Public Footpath is now muddy in places. We recommend wearing either walking boots or wellies if you are intending to use this path at present.
Please also note that the planned work on the B1112 north of the reserve entrance has been delayed so the road will be open until at least next weekend. We will keep you posted on updates and once we know something, we will let you know.
We hope to see you on the reserve soon!