Good morning. There has been plenty to see here over the last couple of days so here are some more recent sightings:
We have recently found out that our crane family are still on track which is a great sign! A single bird was seen in flight over Joist Fen viewpoint on Thursday so if you are lucky, you may see one yourself if you come and visit.
Our resident bitterns are continuing to show well and I saw one in flight over Mere Hide on Thursday morning. One has also been showing well from Mere Hide recently. If you can't see it from the hide, try spending some time on the boardwalk that approaches the hide as you may also see it from there.
Here is a picture of one that was taken from there on Friday:
Image credit: Ken Clegg
Thank you very much to Ken for sharing this lovely image with us.
The local marsh harriers are continuing to show well and I had a lovely view of an adult male hunting over the washland this morning. Bearded tits have been showing well in sunny and still conditions, especially near Mere Hide.
We were treated to a sighting of a scarce wader on Friday, when a Temminck's stint was found feeding on the large pool in front of the Washland viewpoint. This is only the second record of this species here. The only previous record came in mid-May 2001. It was feeding with at least four ringed plovers and a dunlin.
At least one male garganey can still be seen feeding near Mere Hide and at least 14 hobbys were feeding over Joist Fen viewpoint on Friday. Good numbers of cuckoos are still present and I saw three chasing eachother near the visitor centre on Friday.
At least one great white egret is still present and is best seen in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint. A couple of grasshopper warblers have started singing again so listen out for them if you are visiting the reserve early in the morning or in the evening.
I saw at least three Muntjac deer and a roe deer on my travels around the reserve on Friday. Common lizards are still being seen regularly on the approach to Mere Hide and I saw our resident black squirrel in Brandon Fen this morning.
There are now good numbers of dragonflies and damselflies on the wing. Good numbers of scarce chasers can be seen and look out for banded demoiselles along the riverbank. I saw a smart large red damselfly in front of the visitor centre on Friday and our first red eyed damselflies of the year were seen over the weekend.
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that there are still cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath.
We hope to see you soon!