Good morning. As promised, I will begin this morning with some images of bearded tits that were taken on the approach to Mere Hide on Tuesday:
Image credits: Martin Peake
I spent some time looking over the washland on Thursday morning and saw:
As I walked back to the visitor centre, I spotted a smart rhombic leatherbug near the pond dipping area.
The reserve team were busy cutting the reeds at the edge of the visitor centre pond in order to open it up. Here is a picture of it at lunchtime on Thursday:
Image credit: David White
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, several different bitterns were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint and at least five hobbys were feeding overhead. A weasel was seen alongside Trial Wood and a marbled orb weaver spider was seen devouring a (much larger) brown hawker dragonfly in the same area.
Towards the end of the day, a kingfisher appeared at the edge of the visitor centre pond. Several fish were jumping in the pond but as yet, we haven't managed to conclusively identify them.
The main focus of attention yesterday was Mere Hide. At least two bitterns were seen and there was plenty of activity from the local kingfishers. An adult and juvenile water rail were also seen from the hide.
It has been really rather foggy here so far today so not much has been seen. However, a kingfisher has been seen at the edge of the visitor centre pond. The sun is now starting to break through so hopefully it will be a lovely day!
If you are wondering what has become of the wasp spider, sadly, it hasn't been seen since Tuesday. Hopefully, it has just moved. Volunteer Roy who refound it last Saturday is currently out looking for it so hopefully it will be relocated soon!
If you are reading this blog post today, there are still plenty of spaces on this evening's bat night if you are interested. Please follow this link to find out how to book your place on the event.
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 on the reserve soon!