Good morning. It has been really rather warm recently so here are some more recent sightings:
The reserve team did a bittern survey on Sunday morning and Site Manager Dave photographed this bittern at New Fen viewpoint:
Image credits: Dave Rogers
Volunteer Cat was stationed at New Fen viewpoint and a red kite flew east over the viewpoint, heading towards the visitor centre. Sadly, it didn't make it that far though which was a shame.
Local photographer Matt Walton was also out and about and took these photographs of invertebrates:
Small tortoiseshell butterfly:
Red eyed damselflies:
Four spotted chaser:
Thank you very much to Dave and Matt for sharing their images with us.
In the afternoon, volunteer Lawrence went out for a walk on the reserve. He saw a kingfisher from New Fen viewpoint and a mistle thrush also flew over.
I was again busy with a school visit on Friday so I didn't get much chance to get out on the reserve. However, volunteer Roy found our first Roesel's bush cricket of the year near the visitor centre and bird tour operator Gary found a hornet moth alongside one of the poplar woods. Two little ringed plovers were also seen from the Washland viewpoint.
On Saturday, there was plenty of kingfisher activity at the edge of the visitor centre pond. Site Manager Dave also saw a gadwall with eight ducklings from New Fen viewpoint.
Yesterday, there was again plenty of kingfisher activity at the edge of the visitor centre pond with at least two birds showing well on and off all day. A bittern also made a brief appearance at the edge of the pond. Suzanne also saw several bearded tits from Joist Fen viewpoint.
This morning, despite the fact that the water levels are currently very low, there was still plenty to see from the Washland viewpoint:
I took a walk along the riverbank and there were large numbers of butterflies on the wing. This included lot's of small tortoiseshells, several commas and a couple of meadow browns. Dragonflies were also well represented with large numbers of black tailed skimmers on the wing. I also saw a broad bodied chaser from the dragonfly platform near New Fen viewpoint.
As I waked back through the reserve, I heard a probable spotted flycatcher near New Fen viewpoint. I also saw my first ringlet butterfly of the year alongside East Wood. When I got back to the visitor centre, a kingfisher was showing well at the edge of the visitor centre pond.
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that there are currently cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint.
We hope to see you soon!