I have to admit, it took a fair bit of encouragement to get out of bed this morning after having Easter Saturday and Sunday off. However, as my father and I drove into work, we could see that the sun was hidden behind a cloak of mist. This immediately put a smile on my face, as I knew we were going to have a great walk this morning! I took a few pictures of the sun coming up between the visitor centre and Joist Fen viewpoint and here they are:
Image credits: David White
The mist made the reserve extremely atmospheric. Although we couldn't see much, we could hear loads of things. A grasshopper warbler was reeling near East Wood and lots of sedge warblers were singing from the reedbed. There was lots of ladys smock (or cuckoo flower) in flower alongside the riverbank and another grasshopper warbler was reeling in New Fen North.
As we got closer to Joist Fen viewpoint, we saw a reed warbler singing out in the open and a sedge warbler performing its parachuting display flight. Within five minutes of getting to Joist Fen viewpoint, we had fantastic views of a single crane and a bittern that flew past. A cuckoo was calling south of the viewpoint and another grasshopper warbler was reeling just west of the viewpoint.
We walked back along the hard track and popped into Mere Hide. While we were in there, a swallow flew over and a Cetti's warbler was blasting its loud song from deep in cover.
As we walked past the Trial Wood viewpoint, a common whitethroat was singing out in the open and a treecreeper was singing in the wood. We had a good look at the bays that have been cut along the southern edge of New Fen North and I found some lovely water violet coming in to flower in one of them.
All too soon though, it was time to open up the visitor centre. On the way back past East Wood, we spent some time looking for a grasshopper warbler that was reeling nearby. Unfortunately, we didn't see it but it was lovely to hear nonetheless.
Its a lovely day today so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!