Good afternoon. We have had a few surprises here over the last couple of days so here are some more recent sightings:
It was warm enough on Friday for our first brimstone butterflies of the year to be on the wing and several were seen out on the reserve. Warden Emma led a group around in the afternoon. They saw two peregrines and a red kite over Joist Fen viewpoint in the afternoon sunshine. They also saw a smart male pintail from the Washland viewpoint.
It was rather wintery first thing yesterday morning. I saw two whooper swans on the river and a single roe deer in Brandon Fen. I also saw a green woodpecker near the car park which was nice to see.
As the day went on, an adult kittiwake was reported on the washland which is a good record for here. Two different bitterns were also seen in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint.
There were two roe deer on the entrance track as I drove in this morning. The reserve paths were a bit snowy so here are some photographs:
Image credits: David White
I heard some bearded tits calling near the photography station and saw two kestrels hunting over the visitor centre.
As the day has gone on, two cranes were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint and a single bar tailed godwit flew over New Fen viewpoint. A spoonbill dropped in to the Washland but unfortunately, it didn't stick around for long. Oh well, it is a very good reserve record for this time of year nonetheless!
A great white egret was showing well from the Washland viewpoint at lunchtime. At least two water pipits and a whooper swan also feeding nearby.
Reserve notices
The riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint is still extremely muddy. You will need wellies to negotiate it at present.
Also, we will be changing from a car parking charge to an entrance charge for non-members on Sunday 1 April. Please read here for more information.
We hope to see you soon.