Good morning. We have been treated to some lovely weather over the last couple of days (until this morning anyway!)
On Thursday afternoon, a male great spotted woodpecker was showing well on the visitor centre feeders. Site Manager Dave went up to the Washland viewpoint after work and counted at least 192 whooper swans coming in to roost which is a good count.
Local photographer Matt Walton was here early on Friday morning and took these photographs:
Bittern from Joist Fen viewpoint:
Bewick's swans in flight:
Image credits: Matt Walton
I walked along the riverbank as far as half way along New Fen North, the first area of reedbed. It took a couple of pictures in the morning sunshine:
Image credits: David White
I saw a great white egret from the Washland viewpoint and heard a bittern grunting (a kind of pre-boom) in New Fen North. Two skylarks were also singing overhead which was lovely to hear.
A total of seven cranes were seen in flight during the day and local birder Steve saw two ravens in flight over Joist Fen viewpoint. This is a great reserve record as this species is pretty rare in Suffolk.
Later in the afternoon, Dave and I saw five roe deer at the far end of the reserve. There were also three bank voles feeding underneath the visitor centre feeders.
Presumably the same two ravens from Friday flew over the visitor centre early on Saturday morning. At least seven cranes were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint later on in the morning.
Warden Emma and volunteer Paul did their monthly Wetland Birds Survey yesterday. Here is their full site count:
We did a harrier count in the afternoon and we saw at least 10 different marsh harriers. We also saw a female merlin over the far end of the reserve and a barn owl hunting near the visitor centre.
I walked around Brandon Fen before work this morning and saw two marsh tits. There were six whooper swans on the washland and two water pipits were also feeding in the same area.
If you are planing to visit the reserve, please note that the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint is currently very muddy. You will need wellies to negotiate it at present.
We hope to see you soon!