Good morning. We have had some pretty changeable weather this week so here are some more recent sightings:
I will begin though by posting some images that were taken on the reserve last week:
Hobby:
Image credits: Denise Randall
I will now start off where I left off on Saturday. An osprey flew north west over New Fen North, the first area of reedbed and two turtle doves flew over the Washland viewpoint. A pair of stonechats with two fledglings were also seen north of East Wood.
Although it was raining on Sunday morning, I went and had a good look for the two black winged stilts that were around on Saturday but sadly, there was no sign of them. I did seen the following from the Washland viewpoint though:
As the day went on, two avocets were seen from the Washland viewpoint and there was an impressive count of 60 hobbys feeding over Joist Fen viewpoint. A red kite was seen from the viewpoint and in the evening, I saw a barn owl with prey in Brandon Fen.
On Monday, Site Manager Dave saw five juvenile bearded tits near Joist Fen viewpoint. The glossy ibis was also showing well from the Washland viewpoint.
On Tuesday, photographer Cheryl Closs photographed this bittern in front of Joist Fen viewpoint:
Image credits: Cheryl Closs
Thank you very much to Denise and Cheryl for sharing their images with us.
I came down for a walk in the evening and there were lot's of mayflies on the wing along the riverbank Public Footpath. Here is a photo of one that I took:
Image credit: David White
There was plenty to see including a hobby and two kingfishers. I also saw a male marsh harrier mobbing a flying bittern which was entertaining to watch.
I went for a walk before work in the rain on Wednesday morning. The glossy ibis was showing well from the Washland viewpoint along with two little egrets. Despite the rain, a cuckoo flew into East Wood and a sedge warbler was singing out in the open near the stile in New Fen North.
Local bird ringer Simon Evans was out and about yesterday morning. He saw a pair of stonechats in Brandon Fen and a turtle dove flew over the grazing marsh. He spent some time at the Washland viewpoint and saw a black tern. He also saw a male marsh harrier and two common terns.
As the day went on, the glossy ibis was seen from the Washland viewpoint and Site Manager Dave saw a red kite over Joist Fen viewpoint. Volunteer Lawrence also saw a bittern in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint mid-afternoon.
I went for a walk before work this morning and heard a greenshank calling from the Washland viewpoint. A male cuckoo was calling in Brandon Fen and a male great spotted woodpecker was on the feeders behind the visitor centre.
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that there are cattle grazing on the riverbank.
Also, if you are planning to visit the reserve on Sunday, Wardens Emma and Alan are running the May Moth Morning 9am-11am. This is a drop-in style event so please do come and have a look at some of the moths that were caught overnight on Saturday night (as long as the weather is OK of course!)
We hope to see you soon!