Good afternoon. Wading birds have continued to dominate the headlines here recently but before I get into that, here are some images that have been taken recently on the reserve by regular visitor Ken Clegg:
Juvenile green woodpecker:
Stoat:
Marsh harrier:
Grass snake:
Image credits: Ken Clegg
Thank you very much to Ken for sharing these images with us.
On Thursday afternoon, there were 88 lapwings on the washland along with two green sandpipers. Three small tortoiseshells were showing well in front of the visitor centre and an emperor moth caterpillar was photographed on the riverbank public footpath.
On Friday morning, there were 48 little egrets and 34 grey herons in front of the Washland viewpoint. Emma went up to the viewpoint mid-morning and found a very elegant greenshank.
As the day went on, three cranes were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint and a bittern was seen from Mere Hide. A female peregrine was seen from Joist Fen viewpoint and at least 30 house martins were feeding on the visitor centre.
On Saturday, two stoats were seen on the path up to the Washland viewpoint and a greenshank was seen from the washland.
Yesterday, a bittern flew over the visitor centre. There was a good variety of waders in front of the Washland viewpoint, including five black tailed godwits and three greenshanks. A grey wagtail was also feeding nearby.
This morning, I went up to the Washland viewpoint before work. I saw 38 lapwings, three greenshanks, and two green sandpipers and a ruff. A kingfisher also flew along the river, calling as it went.
I took Suzanne, our Administrator up to the Washland viewpoint to see the ruff. When we got up there, we saw three greenshanks and eventually, three ruffs! A yellow wagtail flew over but unfortunately, it was too high to see.
As the morning has gone on, a juvenile buzzard was calling in East Wood and Site Manager Dave saw all seven cranes just west of Joist Fen viewpoint.
I went up the Washland viewpoint at lunchtime and I saw a greenshank and a ruff. Further scanning found a common sandpiper and a water rail feeding at the edge of the pool.
If you are wondering why we suddenly have such a high variety of waders on the washland, it’s because the water levels are lower than usual. Please note that the water levels on the washland are controlled by the Environment Agency, so we have no idea how long our “wader fest” will continue. Hopefully, it will last for a couple of weeks to cover the autumn migration period. Fingers crossed!
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!