Good afternoon. The wintry weather continues so here are some more recent sightoings:
Rather than sharing some more wintry pictures. here is a sequence of crane pictures that were taken on the reserve on Saturday, before the snow came:
Image credits: Nicky Garrett
Thank you very much to Nicky for sharing these images with us.
On Wednesday afternoon, a sparrowhawk flew over the visitor centre pond and a woodcock was feeding in the same area. Just before I left at the end of the day, I spotted a muntjac deer that was skulking in our staff car park.
I took a walk along the riverbank before work yesterday morning and saw lots of otter footprints. There were eight whooper swans and one shelduck feeding in front of the Washland viewpoint.
There were plenty of fieldfares feeding alongside East Wood and there were two marsh harriers hunting in front of New Fen viewpoint. A common buzzard also flew over while I was there.
As the morning went on, there was an impressive count of eight bramblings on the visitor centre feeders which were nice to see. I went up to the Washland viewpoint after lunch and I was rather surprised to find a single dunlin feeding at the edge of an icy pool. This certainly helped to brighten up a wintry afternoon in the office!
This morning, there were five whooper swans and three Bewick's swans feeding in front of the Washland viewpoint first thing. A marsh harrier was also hunting nearby.
I walked to the south west corner of New Fen North, the first area of reedbed and heard some bearded tits calling. As I walked back throough the reserve, a flock of 22 whooper swans flew south west overhead.
Prsumably the same eight bramblings from yesterday have been on the feeders for most of this morning. A water rail also scuttled across the ice before landing in a heap in the snow which was rather entertaining to watch!
Notices
Firstly, if you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that it is still rather snowy underfoot so we recommend that you wear your wellies.
Secondly, if you haven't already read, it, please read this blog post about the fact that we will be changin from a car parking charge to an entrance charge for non-members of the RSPB on 1 April.
Firdly and finally, unfortunately, our "A spotlight on cranes" guided walk on Sunday afternoon has been cancelled. Please read here for more information.