Good morning. Shortly after I finished blogging on Friday, I took this photograph of the sunny scene behind the visitor centre:
Image credit: David White
It was a cold start to the weekend but local birder Nick was here early to see at least 300 whooper swans on the washland. He also saw a great white egret in the same area
He walked down to the far end of the reserve and saw another two great white egrets. He also saw a female/ juvenile hen harrier being mobbed by a common buzzard north of the river near Joist Fen viewpoint. This is great record as this means that there are now definitely two hen harriers in the area.
In terms of other sightings from the day, a small flock of siskins were feeding in the alders behind the visitor centre. A kingfisher also made several appearances at the edge of the visitor centre pond.
Alan, one of our Wardens led the barn owl walk yesterday afternoon. Although they sadly didn't see any barn owls, they saw a peregrine and a sparrowhawk from Joist Fen viewpoint.
Typically, a barn owl was hunting at the edge of the car park this morning and there were around 150 whooper swans on the washland. A Cetti's warbler was singing at the edge of the visitor centre pond and some lesser redpolls were feeding in the alders behind the visitor centre.
If you are planing to visit, please note that there are currently cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint. Pleas also be aware that the riverbank is consequently very muddy so wellies are recommended to negotiate it at the present!
We hope to see you soon!