I hope you all had peaceful and enjoyable festive seasons. Despite the often wet and windy conditions, there was still plenty to see. As predicted, hen harriers featured high on the bill and a male was photographed on the ground in Humphrey's Paddock near Joist Fen viewpoint:
Image credit: Tim James
On 20 December, Joist Fen viewpoint was clearly the place to be with four male hen harriers and one "ringtail" hen harrier. The juvenile peregrine was seen along with a merlin. The following day was just as good, with 22 marsh harriers, five hen harriers and the peregrine. Also of interest, 15 corn buntings flew over the viewpoint and there were three yellow legged gulls on the washland. Fast forward to 28 December, when there were three hen harriers (one male and two ringtails) in front of Joist Fen viewpoint as well as a bittern and two barn owls.
It was then time for New Year's Day. My father and I celebrated it by heading down to Joist Fen viewpoint in order to witness the first dawn of 2014. It certainly looked very spectacular:
Image credit: David White
On our way down to the viewpoint, we flushed two woodcocks and disturbed a muntjac deer that was feeding on the path in front of us. There was plenty to see once it got light with at least 14 marsh harriers leaving their night time roost along with two "ringtail" hen harriers. Several hundred whooper swans also flew out from the far end of the reserve before heading north.
All too soon though, it was time for me to return "back to base" and open up the visitor centre. My father stayed put and saw a long flight from a bittern and a kingfisher whizzing past the viewpoint. He really struck it lucky shortly after though: As he was walking between Joist Fen viewpoint and the riverbank, an otter ran right across the path in front of him!
As I walked back towards the centre, I caught a glimpse of a barn owl flying through Trial Wood and there was a small flock of lesser redpolls feeding in the alders near the visitor centre. Later on in the day, several visitors braved the adverse weather and saw one male and one "ringtail" hen harrier from Joist Fen viewpoint.
I had a quick walk around Brandon Fen this morning and saw a lovely mixed flock of redwings, lesser redpolls and goldfinch. Simon, our local bird ringer, also saw a barn owl hunting at very close quarters at first light. Its a lovely, mild day today so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!
What a perfect way to start your year. You've had some wonderful sightings during the festive season - I'm looking forward to seeing what turns up in 2014.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.