Hello there! I can't believe that another month has gone and it is now July. Doesn't time fly?!
I will begin by posting a couple of photos that I took on the reserve the other day that I haven't had the chance to post on the blog yet:
Small tortoiseshell butterfly:
Some views of Brandon Fen in the sunshine:
On Friday afternoon, there were three kingfishers feeding at the edge of the visitor centre pond at one point which was the highest number we have seen out there for quite some time. A grey wagtail also flew over the visitor centre, calling as it went.
Yesterday, volunteer Denise went out on the reserve and saw lot's of common darter dragonflies alongside East Wood. She also saw several peacock butterfly caterpillars.
I foolishly didn't take my telescope out with me this morning which was a bit of a pain as there were some waders on the washland.
With binoculars, I picked out the following:
As I walked along the riverbank, I heard a cuckoo calling in East Wood which was nice to hear. I also saw a sedge warbler displaying at the edge of East Wood which was quite late in the year for such behaviour.
I walked down from the stile towards New Fen viewpoint and saw at least five bearded tits flying to and fro in the reedbed. A smart male marsh harrier was also hunting over New Fen viewpoint.
I also took a couple of pictures of the reedbed bathed in the morning sunshine which I hope you will like:
Image credits: David White
When I got back to the visitor centre, a garden warbler was singing near the visitor centre and a kingfisher was fishing at the edge of the visitor centre pond.
Volunteer Paul has just been up to the washland (with a telescope I might add!) and has seen:
He also saw a family of stonechats near the Washland viewpoint.
If you are planning to come and visit the reserve, please note that there are still cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint.
We hope to see you soon!