Good morning. Here are some sightings from Monday afternoon onwards:
A kingfisher made a brief appearance at the edge of the visitor centre pond during the afternoon. A barn owl was also hunting near the visitor centre as we were leaving.
A water pipit was seen from the Washland viewpoint on Tuesday. A small group of redwings were feeding near the visitor centre.
Local bird ringer Simon was ringing in Brandon Fen on Wednesday morning. He went up to the Washland viewpoint and saw the following:
There were six roe deer on the entrance track as I drove in yesterday morning. I had a quick scam from the Washland viewpoint and saw a great white egret in flight. At least 10 shelducks were also present in front of the viewpoint. Visitor centre volunteer Steve spotted two bramblings on the visitor centre feeders during the morning.
As the day went on, the reserve team saw four cranes from Joist Fen viewpoint (two pairs of adults). They also saw two bitterns in flight.
The sun came out in the afternoon and Warden Katherine counted an impressive 15 common buzzards over the far end of the reserve. I also took this picture of the sun shining over the visitor centre pond:
There were seven roe deer grazing on the entrance track when I drove in this morning. There were 27 whooper swans showing well from the Washland viewpoint and a great white egret was also present.
As I walked along the muddy riverbank, I heard an oystercatcher calling which is the first one that I have heard here this year. When I got to the corner of East Wood, I took a picture of this impressive root plate:
A green woodpecker was calling and a great spotted woodpecker was drumming in the same wood. When I got to New Fen viewpoint, I took this picture in the morning gloom:
Image credits: David White
A flock of around 250 lapwings flew up out of the reedbed and I eventually spotted the probable cause of this: a merlin was perched up in one of the bushes in the reedbed. It wasn't there for long before slinking off unseen by me. I could hear a bittern grunting/ quietly booming in the reedbed but unfortunately didn't see it (I STILL haven't seen one this year by the way!)
Just before I left the viewpoint, a mixed flock of buntings flew north overhead. These were mainly reed buntings but there were also a couple of yellowhammers and corn buntings mixed in. Although it was tricky to count them, I saw at least two corn buntings which was nice.
Before I leave you, here are a couple of notices:
Firstly, there are still plenty of spaces left on our "A spotlight on cranes" talk and walk event on Sunday 4 March 2pm-6pm. After a talk about the status of cranes in Britain, we will go for a walk down to Joist Fen viewpoint to look for them. If you are interested in coming along, please follow this link to find out how to book your place.
Secondly, the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint is still very muddy. You will need wellies to negotiate it at present. The rest of the paths are fine.
We hope to see you soon!