Good afternoon. Before the rain started, there was plenty to see so here are some more recent sightings:
I will start off with a fabulous selection of images that were all taken on the reserve on Sunday:
Staphmopoda pedella (a scarce species of micro moth):
Flecked general (a scarce species of soldier fly):
Musk beetle (what a whopper!):
Red longhorn beetle:
Sulphur beetle:
Agrypnus murinus (a species of click beetle):
Large marsh horsefly:
Six cranes in flight over the reserve:
Image credits: Robin Gossage
Thank you very much to Robin for sharing these great images with us.
Also on Sunday, a bittern made a brief appearance at the edge of the visitor centre pond and a kingfisher was making regular visits to the same area.
I went for a walk before work on Monday morning, mainly to "twitch" the large flowered hemp nettle that is now flowering between Mere Hide and Joist Fen viewpoint. Here it is:
Image credits: David White
If you would like more detailed directions as to where to find this pretty plant, please ask in the visitor centre or ring the office on: 01842 863400.
A cuckoo flew from West Wood into Trial Wood and a kingfisher was fishing at the edge of the visitor centre pond. I also saw a family of stonechats from the Washland viewpoint and a probable nightingale was skulking in the same area.
In the afternoon, Suzanne went to help Alan and Emma with a marsh harrier survey at the far end of the reserve. As well as seeing plenty of activity from the local marsh harriers, she also saw a group of three cranes which flew over before landing north of the river.
The weather wasn't exactly ideal yesterday. However, Suzanne saw a common buzzard low over the entrance track as she drove in and two kingfishers were fishing at the edge of the visitor centre pond.
It was really rather wet for my walk around the reserve this morning unfortunately. However, a cuckoo was calling in East Wood and a song thrush was singing defiantly in the same area.
As the day has gone on, a hobby flew over the visitor centre and two kingfishers have once again been fishing at the edge of the visitor centre pond.
If you are planning to visit, please note that there are still cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint.
We hope to see you soon!