Good morning. I will begin this morning by posting some photos that were taken here recently by Geoff Fitt:
Kestrel:
Moorhen:
Four spotted chaser:
Image credits Geoff Fitt
Thank you very much to Geoff for sharing these images with us.
On Tuesday, a red eyed damselfly and an azure damselfly were feeding over the raised pond bed in front of the visitor centre. Our first emperor dragonfly of the year was also seen at the edge of the car park.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, at least two cranes were seen in flight over Mere Hide. Our first black tailed skimmer of the year was also seen alongside West Wood.
I had a pleasant surprise on Wednesday morning when I heard a nightingale singing in the willows behind the visitor centre. This is our first record of this species on the reserve this year. It ended up staying for the day and it was even seen on several occasions.
I also saw two male blackcaps near where the nightingale was singing. A cuckoo also flew over the Washland viewpoint.
Suzanne went for a walk before work and saw a barn owl hunting over Brandon Fen. She also heard a grasshopper warbler singing near the Washland viewpoint and saw a mole on her travels.
Yesterday morning, a grasshopper warbler was singing near the Washland viewpoint early and a pair of garganeys flew over the viewpoint. Later on in the day, a kingfisher was fishing in the visitor centre pond and a roe deer was also skulking at the edge of the pond.
There was a cuckoo singing in East Wood when I got here this morning. A male marsh harrier was hunting near the Washland viewpoint and a ringed plover flew west along the river, calling as it went. A kingfisher flew towards the centre and a willow warbler was singing near the visitor centre when I got back.
Interestingly, a quail has just been seen along the riverbank north of West Wood. This species is notoriously difficult to see but if you are very lucky, you may seen one if you come and visit!
We hope to see you soon!