Good morning. We haven’t seen the sun much this week but as usual, there haven’t been many dull moments!
The last day we saw the sun properly was on Sunday. There were still some summer migrants around with two blackcaps and a chiffchaff feeding near the visitor centre. A late tree pipit also flew over.
It was warn enough for a very late grass snake to show itself in front of New Fen viewpoint and a bittern was seen from New Fen viewpoint. Several bearded tits were also feeding in the same area.
Suzanne went for a walk around Brandon Fen on Monday and there were several species of birds of prey on the wing. This included a marsh harrier over the washland along with a buzzard and a kestrel over Brandon Fen.
I went for a walk before work on Wednesday morning and the great white egret was showing well in front of the Washland viewpoint along with a stonechat. A lesser redpoll flew over the viewpoint along with my first brambling of the autumn.
A grey wagtail flew over the visitor centre shortly after we opened and the reserve team went to assist our grazier in removing the cattle from the riverbank Public Footpath. What should have taken half an hour took over two hours but at least they achieved what they set out to achieve (eventually anyway!)
There was also a bit of excitement for those of us who stayed behind in the visitor centre: At least two willow emerald damselflies were feeding over the visitor centre pond. This species was only recorded on the reserve for the first time in September, so it was nice to see that they are spreading across the reserve.
A red kite was hunting over the far end of the reserve yesterday morning. The great white egret was showing well on the washland and at least two otters, possibly three, were feeding between New Fen viewpoint and West Wood.
A bittern was seen from Joist Fen viewpoint and several bearded tits were showing well in the same area. Our first fieldfares of the autumn were seen during the afternoon when at least six flew south of the reserve.
It was really rather dull this morning as my photographs show:
Katherine’s fine job of strimming at the back of the visitor centre pool:
A species of fungi growing near the visitor centre:
“Frederick”, our willow dragon, who has just had a haircut:
A wildlife window cut into the reeds alongside East Wood:
Recent strimming in front of New Fen viewpoint:
Image credits: David White
The great white egret was showing well in front of the Washland viewpoint and two marsh harriers were causing panic amongst the local wildfowl. A total of around 45 redwings flew over while I was walking around and a muntjac deer was skulking around near the visitor centre.
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!