Good morning. Although it has been relatively mild here this week, it is going to be cold again this weekend. Here is what has been seen since Sunday onwards:
There were four roe deer on the entrance track as I drove in on Sunday morning. A chaffinch was singing in the staff car park when I got out of my car and two green woodpeckers were displaying on the visitor centre lawn.
A great white egret and six whooper swans were feeding in front of the Washland viewpoint and I am pretty sure that I heard a little ringed plover calling in New Fen North, the first area of reedbed.
As the morning went on, a single raven flew over Joist Fen viewpoint. Two cranes also flew over the viewpoint, heading from south of the railway line to north of the river.
Meanwhile. closer to the visitor centre, a curlew was calling south of the railway line. Site Manager Dave also saw a smart male brambling from the photography station.
Local photographer Martin Peake was out and about on Wednesday and here are some of his photographs:
Two whooper swans on the washland:
A smart male reed bunting:
A great white egret:
A pair of great crested grebes:
Image credits: Martin Peake
Thank you very much to Martin for sharing these images with us.
As the day went on, Site Manager Dave saw a great white egret and a single crane in New Fen North, the first area of reedbed.
The reserve team were out working at the far end of the reserve yesterday and could hear a bittern booming which was nice to hear. They also saw a single crane in flight low over the reedbed.
Local birder Steve spent some time up at the Washland viewpoint and saw:
In the afternoon, I took two members of staff out on the reserve for a walk. We saw a kingfisher from Joist Fen viewpoint and a red kite over West Wood. A female merlin was also perched in Trial Wood.
It was a lovely morning this morning and although I didn't see too much, the light was good so I took some photographs:
Image credits: David White
I saw a great white egret along the river. Presumably the same bird then flew into New Fen North, the first area of reedbed.
Reserve notices
Firstly, the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint is still very muddy. You will need wellies to negotiate it at present.
Secondly, just in case you haven't heard, we will be changing from a car parking charge to an entrance charge for non-members on Sunday 1 April. Please follow this link for more information.
We hope to see you soon!