It really feels like autumn has arrived now – leaves are crunching underfoot, the nights are drawing in and there’s a noticeable chill to the air in the mornings. However, my favourite sign of autumn has to be the flocks of redwing and fieldfare returning to the reserve, a sure signal to the changing of the seasons.
The best spot to see our newly arrived visitors is around the Brandon Fen trail, where a flock of over 40 redwing was spotted on Monday afternoon. Fieldfares are fewer in number at the moment, but are sure to build up in the coming weeks.
Redwing (Image credit - Matt Walton)
It’s a great time of year to take a wander around the Brandon Fen trail; mistle thrush, stonechat (up to three), kestrel, marsh harrier and buzzard (up to three) have all been seen there this week.
Closer to the visitor the first giant puffball mushrooms of the season have appeared and along with several species of fungi (as yet unidentified!) on the visitor centre lawn.
Right next door to the visitor centre, a couple of goldcrest were flitting about the pine tree for several minutes on Friday, before heading off into the nearby gorse.
The great white egret has been seen on a daily basis this week, whilst it has been favouring the washland, it has been spotted across the reserve. Whilst taking shelter from the rain during the Thursday work party, we were treated to excellent views of it fishing in the pool in front of New Fen viewpoint.
Bearded tits have continued to show well this week, with one lucky visitor seeing 29 at New Fen viewpoint! There’s also been regular sightings there of kingfisher, marsh harrier and, heard more often than seen, water rail.
Last Saturday, among the preparations for the Race for Wildlife, this bittern made a welcome appearance on the edge of the visitor centre pool. You don’t have to go far to see the wildlife here!
(Image credit - Dave Rogers)
One of our lesser seen mammals on the reserve is the Chinese water deer, so these photos sent through from Alec Wallis were an excellent surprise. Thanks Alec!
Chinese water deer (Image credit - Alec Wallis)
The corvid roost is starting to build up in the woods surrounding New Fen viewpoint. Whilst there’s some way to go before it reaches its peak, the clattering of rooks, jackdaws and crows certainly added an atmospheric backdrop to the sunset on Monday evening.
New Fen sunset (Image credit - Emma Cuthbertson)