It’s my last day in the office before Christmas so here are some recent sightings from the last couple of days along with some information about our Christmas opening times.
I will start of with another picture from Monday followed by some exciting bird news.
A lovely view from New Fen viewpoint:
Image credit: Matt Walton
Matt also saw a jack snipe alongside the big willow near the visitor centre. This species is very tricky to track down on the reserve so it was a great find.
Things picked up where they left off on Tuesday and volunteer Paul saw a kingfisher from the Washland viewpoint. An adult Caspian gull was on the washland along with a juvenile yellow legged gull. A peregrine flew low over the large pool, which attracted plenty of attention from the local carrion crows.
One of the great white egrets was showing very well and here is a picture of it:
Image credit: Ian Goodall
Thank you very much to Matt and Ian for sharing these images with us.
It was unseasonably mild yesterday and I popped up to the Washland viewpoint before work. I saw a great white egret, seven little egrets and the same two goldeneyes from Tuesday morning. Three tufted ducks were also present along with two great crested grebes.
When I got back to the visitor centre, Suzanne and I were treated to great views of a barn owl hunting in front of the visitor centre window. As the day went on, a smart male lesser redpoll was on the visitor centre feeders along with a marsh tit.
I went for a walk this morning and there were six whooper swans in front of the Washland viewpoint along with the two goldeneyes. One of the great white egrets flew east along the river and a roe deer was skulking south of East Wood.
There was also a rather impressive sunrise and here are some pictures of it:
Image credits: David White
Just before I leave you today, our Christmas opening times can be found here. Also, from New Years Day, we will be reverting back to the old system of RSPB members showing their membership cards in the visitor centre rather than leaving them on the dashboards of their cards.
All I have left to say is wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of the team here at RSPB Lakenheath Fen!