Good morning. I will begin by sharing some images that I haven't had an opportunity to share yet:
Male reed bunting:
Kingfisher:
Little egret:
Image credits: Stephen Reeve
Thank you very much to Stephen for sharing these images with us.
There have been a couple of sightings of two cranes flying over recently. They flew over on Saturday and presumably the same pair were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint yesterday.
I assisted the reserve team with a bittern and marsh harrier survey yesterday morning. I was stationed on the high seat in Norfolk Fen (which is moreorless at the far end of the reserve) with two paying guests. Although most of the bittern activity was to the east of us (.i.e. closer to Joist Fen viewpoint), we did see three flights. This included one very long flight. The bittern was in the air for almost 10 minutes!
The local marsh harriers were very active and we saw several aerobatic food passes between males and females. One of the males seemed to have a grudge on the local bitterns, and took to swooping on one on several occasions which was entertaining to watch!
One of my personal highlights of yesterday morning was being treated to fantastic views of several juvenile bearded tits. I don't see these charming little birds very often nowadays so this definitely put a smile on my face.
If you would like to join us on one of our surveys on Tuesday mornings in June, there are still spaces on each survey if you would like to come along. Please click here for more information on how to book your place. We hope to see you there!
We saw at least two great white egrets in flight yesterday morning so it's good to know that there are still a couple around. A grasshopper warbler was singing near us and several of the other calling males are now starting to sing again. Listen out for them either early in the day or in the evenings.
The local cuckoos are still around in force and I saw three flying together near the visitor centre this morning. I also heard a male garganey calling near Mere Hide, which was lovely to hear. Two avocets were showing well from the Washland viewpoint yesterday afternoon along with an oystercatcher.
I had a nice view of a singing garden warbler near the visitor centre this morning and I saw a water rail skulking at the edge of the visitor centre pond. Presumably the same raven that has been seen here on and off over the last couple of weeks flew over Joist Fen viewpoint on Monday afternoon.
I saw a Muntjac deer skulking near the pond dipping platform this morning and there were lots of signs of red and black froghoppers out on the reserve. These curious little bugs leave behind cuckoo spit, which look like little blobs of saliva on the path side vegetation.
If you are planning to visit the reserve, 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!