We have had some typical November weather this week with cold, wet and windy weather dominating proceedings. However, it's a lovely sunny morning this morning so it's time for some more recent sightings.
On Sunday morning, four cranes were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint. As the day went on, an otter was seen from New Fen viewpoint and a peregrine was seen from Joist Fen viewpoint.
The weather wasn't too bad on Monday and photographer Martin Peake photographed a great white egret on the washland:
Image credits: Martin Peake
Thank you very much to Martin for sharing these images with us.
On Tuesday, a grey wagtail was feeding in the staff car park and two stonechats were showing well in Brandon Fen. There were at least two great white egrets present with one over Joist Fen and another on the washland.
At least 500 lapwings were over the Washland viewpoint at lunchtime and Site Manager Dave saw two green sandpipers at the far end of the reserve. At least 14 marsh harriers were hunting over the far end of the reserve during the afternoon.
A song thrush was singing alongside the entrance track on Wednesday morning and the moon looked spectacular looking west down the reserve:
Image credit: David White
I saw a stonechat north of East Wood and a kingfisher from New Fen viewpoint. As the day went on, a chiffchaff was calling behind the visitor centre and two whooper swans dropped in to the washland. Four cranes were also seen from the train by one of our regular visitors.
Yesterday morning, a barn owl was hunting in front of the Washland viewpoint and some bearded tits were calling in Brandon Fen. A collared dove flew over the grazing marsh in Brandon Fen which is a fairly unusual record for here.
As the day went on, four cranes were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint and 19 marsh harriers were hunting over the far end of the reserve. I saw a female merlin over the far end of the reserve as dusk fell and a woodcock flew up alongside West Wood.
I went out armed with my camera this morning and I took this photo from the south west corner of New Fen North:
A green woodpecker flew over the reedbed and a water rail was skulking in front of New Fen viewpoint. I could hear some bearded tits calling near the viewpoint and a roe deer was skulking at the edge of East Wood.
Please note that if you are planning to visit the reserve this weekend (especially Saturday), the visitor centre decking is currently being replaced so an alternative route will be in place from the visitor centre to access the reserve. Please ask in the visitor centre for more information on arrival and we will advise you where to go.
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon.