Good morning. We hope you all had peaceful and enjoyable festive seasons! The visitor centre is now open again after the Christmas break so here are some sightings from the last two weeks:
15 December
A water pipit was showing near the Washland viewpoint and a great crested grebe was showing well on the river. Two buzzards were circling over the visitor centre and a sparrowhawk flew over Trial Wood.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, at least 10 marsh harriers were hunting in front of Joist Fen viewpoint. At least two great white egrets were also seen over the course of the day, one from Joist Fen viewpoint and one along the river.
16 December
Suzanne had a stroke of luck when she spotted a little owl perched on the gate to the grazing marsh in Brandon Fen. This species is rather difficult to see on the reserve, so hopefully it will make a habit of perching there. At least eight siskins were also feeding behind the visitor centre.
17 December
Incredibly, it was still mild enough for there to be a common darter dragonfly on the wing. This is remarkably late record for this species on the reserve so perhaps there are more around!
18 December
I had a quick look from the Washland viewpoint before work and counted the swans. There were at least 39 whooper swans and one Bewick’s swan present. A single redshank was also present.
I went down to Joist Fen viewpoint in the afternoon and took this picture through the gloom:
Image credit: David White
There were several marsh harriers hunting in the distance and a sparrowhawk flew over. I also caught a fleeting glimpse of a water rail, shortly before darkness fell.
21 December
I came in and helped with reed burning and while we were out, we saw a bittern in flight between Mere Hide and Joist Fen viewpoint. A kingfisher also flew over, calling as it went.
22 December
A peregrine was hunting over the visitor centre in the afternoon. A barn owl also made a brief appearance in front of the Washland viewpoint, which was nice to see.
29 December
That moreorless brings us up to date. I could hear some whooper swans on the washland this morning and a green woodpecker flew over between the visitor centre and the car park.
If you are planning to visit the reserve, we are open at all times. The visitor centre and toilets will be open daily from 9am-4pm from today until New Year’s Day. Normal opening hours, with the visitor centre opening daily 9am-5pm, will resume on Wednesday 2 January.
We hope to see you soon!