Good morning. We have had some chilly weather recently so here are some more recent sightings:
I went for a walk before work on Friday armed with my camera and I took these photos of the frosty washland:
Image credits: David White
As you can see distantly from the second photograph, there were lot's of whooper swans present. I tried my best to count them and I got to around 212 adults and eight cygnets. There may have also been some Bewick's swans present, but they were so tightly packed that I couldn't be sure unfortunately.
Local bird ringer Simon went for a walk around Brandon Fen and saw three stonechats. He also saw a small flock of bearded tits. Later on in the morning, volunteer Darren went up to the Washland viewpoint and flushed a woodcock. As the day went on, a small flock of long tailed tits were feeding outside the office window and a mistle thrush was perched in the poplars in front of the visitor centre.
On Saturday. volunteer counted 162 teals on the washland and Roy saw a blackcap in Brandon Fen.
The reserve team did a harrier roost count yesterday evening and here is what they saw from around Joist Fen viewpoint (including some non-bird of prey sightings):
This morning, a flock of around half a dozen lesser redpolls were feeding in the alders behind the visitor centre. A small group of goldcrests were also feeding in front of the visitor centre.
If you are planning to 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!