Good morning. It is still rather chilly here bit despite that, there is still plenty to see. Here are some recent sightings from Saturday afternoon onwards:
Three hobbys were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint on Saturday and three bitterns were seen from New Fen viewpoint. Four garganeys were also seen from New Fen viewpoint which is a good count for here.
In the evening, volunteer John found a greenshank feeding in front of the Washland viewpoint. This is a good spring record here so let's hope we get a couple more in the next few weeks!
I went up to the Washland viewpoint first thing on Sunday morning and saw the following:
There were also three avocets showing from the viewpoint before I arrived. I walked along the riverbank and I heard a grasshopper warbler singing at the edge of East Wood. I also saw a smart male marsh harrier over New Fen North, the first area of reedbed.
As the day went on, our first garden warbler of the year was heard near Joist Fen viewpoint and a male whinchat was seen along the riverbank. Up to 16 (yes, that is a lot isn't it (!)) different cranes were seen in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint and our first hairy dragonfly of the year was seen alongside Trial Wood.
I went for a walk after work and saw two common terns from the Washland viewpoint. I also heard several cuckoos calling in the poplar woods.
Our local bird ringer Simon was ringing in Brandon Fen on Monday and he was "visited" by a pair of stonechats while he was ringing. He saw a good range of birds of prey including three common buzzards, two marsh harriers and a kestrel. He also saw two avocets over the washland and heard a grasshopper warbler singing along the riverbank.
I came down for a walk on Tuesday evening and despite getting caught in a rather potent hailstorm, I had a very pleasant visit! I saw a mistle thrush and a stoat in Brandon Fen.
I walked along the riverbank and saw the glossy ibis and two black tailed godwits on the washland. When I got to New Fen North, a male sparrowhawk flew low across the reedbed and a great white egret was feeding at the edge of the river.
As I walked back through the reserve, I took a few photos which I hope you like:
Common comfrey:
Cow parsley:
Threatening skies behind the crack willow near the visitor centre:
Image credits: David White
As I was elsewhere for the majority of the day yesterday, I only had time for a quick walk yesterday morning. I saw a common tern and two black tailed godwits from the Washland viewpoint. I also saw two mistle thrushes in Brandon Fen.
I had a bit more time this morning so I went for a walk around the very frosty reserve! The glossy ibis was showing well from the Washland viewpoint along with five black tailed godwits. A male stonechat was feeding near the viewpoint and a singing grasshopper warbler was just audible on the washland north of East Wood.
I stopped at New Fen viewpoint for a while and I could hear at least two bitterns booming. I saw my first hobby of the year which flew from West Wood into East Wood. I think this is the first time ever that I have seen a hobby when there has been frost on the ground!
Whilst on the subject of hobbys, it is about that time of year when we start to get groups of up to 40 birds feeding over the reserve. Although the recent cold weather can't have helped, there are now at least seven birds present on the reserve so numbers are building up (very) gradually!
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that there are now cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath.
We hope to see you soon!