Good morning. I have a large list of sightings from the last couple of days in front of me so without any further ado, I will begin.
There was plenty of crane activity from Joist Fen viewpoint on Sunday. Our family were seen in flight along with two extra birds. Our family of four were also calling in the reedbed. This meant that there were at least nine cranes present on the reserve! A bittern was also seen in flight from the viewpoint.
There was also plenty to see from the Washland viewpoint. This included 28 little egrets and 17 grey herons. A hobby was harassing the terns over the large pool and a passing osprey spooked everything as it soared high overhead. Although I did manage to see the osprey distantly from the visitor centre mound, it didn’t hang around for long unfortunately.
A kingfisher was fishing in the visitor centre pond for most of the afternoon. There was also some excitement at the far end of the reserve when a honey buzzard was photographed interacting with a common buzzard over Joist Fen viewpoint.
On Monday, there were 36 little egrets feeding in front of the Washland viewpoint along with six common terns. Interestingly, this included a juvenile common tern. This may well be evidence that they have nested on the reserve this year.
On Tuesday, Emma and Suzanne saw a bittern from the Washland viewpoint. Volunteer Paul Holness counted 43 little egrets from the viewpoint, which is yet another reserve record. There were also two kingfishers fishing in the visitor centre pond.
I went for a walk before work yesterday morning and I saw two kingfishers whizzing around the Washland viewpoint. A chiffchaff was singing in Brandon Fen and there were at least 30 common darters feeding in the sunshine alongside East Wood.
Another honey buzzard was reported over New Fen viewpoint at 08.30 and Katherine saw 53 little egrets from the Washland viewpoint. I saw a green sandpiper from the Washland viewpoint when I was out with a group of children and I also saw a small red eyed damselfly feeding over the visitor centre pond bed.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, a bittern was seen from the New Fen viewpoint along with a female sparrowhawk. A goat moth caterpillar was also found on the hard track between Mere Hide and Joist Fen viewpoint.
I went out fully armed this morning with my binoculars, telescope and camera. I took some photos:
Visitor centre pond:
Field bindweed:
Snail:
Amphibious bistort:
Teasel:
Image credits: David White
The Washland viewpoint was definitely the place to be this morning with at least five green sandpipers and the reserve’s first little stint for 18 years. Sadly, the little stint didn’t hang around but it was a great record nonetheless. The waders were joined by a supporting cast of 45 little egrets and two kingfishers.
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!